Image analysis to quantify and measure UASB digester granules

Abstract

Two-dimensional image analysis was applied to counting, sizing, and density determinations of granules in full-scale and laboratory-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) digesters. An advantage of this technique for monitoring laboratory-scale digester sludge is the small amount of material required for analysis. Quantification of number of granules using this method correlated well with dry weight determinations (r = 0.989). Distinguished granule size increased with time throughout the digestion process, supported by dry weight determinations which indicated an increase in biomass. The monitoring of granule density may reveal subtleties of the selection pressure placed on granules not noticed previously.