Biological sulphate reduction with primary sewage sludge in an upflow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactor - part 1 : feasibility study

• Published in: Water S. A. 2009-10, Vol.35 (5), p.525-534
• Main Authors: Ekama, G.A., Wentzel, M.C., Poinapen, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acid mine drainage; Bed concentration profiles; Biological sulphate reduction; Carbon sources; Effluent quality; Energy sources; Feasibility studies; Minimum hydraulic retention time; Reactors; Retention time; Series & special reports; Sewage sludge; Sludge; Sludge bed; Sulfate reduction; Sulfates; Upflow unaerobic sludge bed reactor; Water quality; Water treatment
• ISSN: 0378-4738; 0378-4738
• DOI: 10.4314/wsa.v35i5.49178

This paper describes a novel system for the biological sulphate reduction (BSR) of acid mine drainage (AMD) using primary sewage sludge (PSS) as carbon source in an upflow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactor configuration. A UASB reactor was operated at a temperature of 35°C and it received PSS (1 875 mgCOD/ℓ) augmented with sulphate (1 500 mgSO4 2-/ℓ). The experimental results indicate that high treatment efficiency was achieved at more than 90% sulphate reduction at a liquid hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 13.5 h. In this study, the effects of various operational parameters were also investigated. The effect of a biomass recycle stream from the top to the bottom of the sludge bed was found to initiate rapid BSR from the bottom of the bed. Profile tests showed that effective and immediate sulphate reduction was achieved as soon as the influent entered the reactor. From these results, it can be concluded that the UASB configuration using PSS as energy source would be a viable method for the BSR of AMD.