The start‐up of anaerobic sequencing batch reactors at 20 °C and 25 °C for the treatment of slaughterhouse wastewater

The objective of this research was to evaluate the feasibility, the stability and the efficiency of a start‐up at 20 °C and 25 °C of anaerobic sequencing batch reactors (ASBRs) treating slaughterhouse wastewater. Influent chemical oxygen demand (COD) and suspended solids concentrations averaged 7500 and 1700 mg dm^?3, respectively. Reactor start‐up was completed in 168 and 136 days at 20 °C, and 25 °C, respectively. The start‐up process was stable at both temperatures, except for a short period at 20 °C, when effluent volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations increased from an average of 40 to 400 mg dm^?3. Effluent quality varied throughout start‐up, but in the last 25 days of the experiment, as the ASBRs were operated under organic loading rates of 2.25 ± 0.21 and 2.86 ± 0.24 kg m^?3 d^?1 at 20 °C and 25 °C, respectively, total COD was reduced by 90.3% ± 1.3%. Methanogenesis was not a limiting factor during start‐up. At 20 °C, the limiting factor was the acidification of the soluble organics and, to a smaller extent, the reduction of propionic, isobutyric and isovaleric acids into lower VFAs. At 25 °C, the limiting factor was the hydrolysis of particulate organics. To minimize biomass loss during the start‐up period, the organic loading rate should be increased only when 75 –80% of the COD fed has been transformed into methane within the design hydraulic retention time. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry