An anaerobic reactor is used to break down organic materials in wastewater without oxygen. It is part of a larger treatment process and can be used in various industrial processes. The reactor uses filters and the Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) process to reduce waste and produce biogas. Anaerobic digestion breaks down organic compounds using microorganisms and bacteria.
An anaerobic reactor is used to treat wastewater. It is one of many types of anaerobic digesters. Being anaerobic, it performs its functions in the absence of oxygen. The reactor is part of a larger wastewater treatment process and is neither the first nor the last treatment element. It is, however, the main part of the process of breaking down the organic materials contained in the wastewater.
Anaerobic digesters and reactors are used on liquid products produced by a variety of industrial processes. These can include chemical and pharmaceutical processes. They also include the food manufacturing processes needed to make ice cream, dairy products, and alcoholic processes such as brewing and distilling. By processing such waste products, companies aim to make the waste safer for the environment.
The anaerobic reactor section of wastewater treatment follows on from other processes. First, the wastewater goes through equalization, neutralization and then a heat exchange before being pumped into the reactor tank. The gas produced by these processes is released for treatment and can be used to generate energy using a turbine. The gas produced by the main processes of the anaerobic reactor is biogas and is treated separately. Once out of the reactor, the liquid is sent to the sewage system or sent for aerobic treatment.
There are several filters used in anaerobic reactors. Fluid bed units use sand or plastic granules. Upflow and downflow filters use pebbles, stones, or sheets of porous plastic. These fixed films create the anaerobic conditions needed to break down organic compounds. All filters need to be serviced and have different shelf lives before needing to be replaced.
The Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) digestion process uses an organic filter. The filter takes three months to reach maturity, but has a number of advantages. It works by creating a sludge filter made up of bacteria and other microorganisms. An advantage of the UASB anaerobic reactor is that it reduces the amount of post-reactor treatment waste products required. It also produces more biogas which can be used to generate electricity.
Anaerobic digestion, used by each anaerobic reactor, is a process that breaks down organic compounds in the absence of oxygen. Microorganisms and bacteria are used to break down organic polymers in waste. The acid-producing bacteria then convert the amino acids and sugars into ammonia, hydrogen and organic acids. These are then converted into acetic acid and finally into methane and carbon dioxide.
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