Abstract
The efficiency of biological wastewater treatment systems is linked fundamentally to the hydraulic performance of each treatment unit. These units should guarantee an adequate contact between the microorganisms and the residual water, and the compliance with the hydraulic retention time established, in order to decrease the number of dead zones or short circuits that may exist inside the reactors. In this work, hydraulic performance was evaluated in seven Expanded Granular Sludge Bed (EGSB) reactors with a useful volume of 3,4 L and constructed in acrylic. The analysis was carried out through the stimulus-response test, using bromide as tracer. Two hydraulic retention times (8 and 24 h) and the effect of the presence of granular biomass were considered. Results were analyzed qualitatively through the construction of curves C, E and F, and quantitatively through the construction of a mathematical model of axial dispersion. The results of the hydraulic performance of the reactors revealed a marked tendency to a complete mix flow pattern, with a low effect of HRT or the presence of granular biomass on their operation.
Highlights
The operation of wastewater treatment systems has been based mainly on the optimization of the biologicalHow to cite: Londoño, Y
We evaluated the influence of various factors such as the geometry of the reactor, the presence of granular biomass, and different hydraulic retention time (HRT) values in the operation of the systems
For the majority of the systems that operated with HRT of 8 h, a single peak of maximum concentration was observed, independently of the presence or absence of granular biomass. This condition allows the nonexistence of short circuits in the hydraulic performance of the Expanded Granular Sludge Bed (EGSB) systems to be inferred and was not observed only in the cases of EGSB reactors 5 and 6, which operated with a HRT of 24 h and with the presence of biomass
Summary
The operation of wastewater treatment systems has been based mainly on the optimization of the biologicalHow to cite: Londoño, Y. Analysis and modeling of the hydraulic behavior of EGSB reactors with presence and absence of granular biomass at different hydraulic retention times. Studies on the hydraulics of EGSB reactors have reported complete mixing conditions for these systems.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
