Vidya Singh, R. P. Singh, N. D. Pandey and Balram Singh
ABSTRACT
The present paper is devoted to explore the suitability of using a simple CSTR model for evaluating the dynamic and steady state performance of UASB reactor treating low strength wastewater with or without influent biomass. Depending upon the idealization of UASB reactor as a single CSTR, the dynamic and steady state model equations available in the literature are reproduced derived and are presented in this paper. In case of treatment of low strength wastewaters where the stoichiometric relationships are not very clearly known/ available from literature, the simple steady state models are derived for effluent waste COD and biomass concentrations. The present model accounts for the simple Monod kinetic expression for uninhibited growth of microorganisms. Determination of kinetic constants for low strength wastewater treatment in UASB reactor is necessary to predict the dynamic as well as steady state performances of the UASB system. Both the dynamic and steady state performances of UASB reactor have been evaluated and presented in this paper. The simultaneous dynamic equations for substrate and biomass and their corresponding steady state equations as described to assess the UASB reactor performance.
Keywords: Biomass concentration, CSTR model, Effluent COD concentration.