Kinetic model for an up-flow anaerobic packed bed bioreactor: Dairy wastewater treatment

Abstract

Kinetic studies of anaerobic digestion process of cheese whey were conducted in a pilot-scale up-flow anaerobic packed bed bioreactor (UAPB). An influent COD concentration of 59419 mg/l was utilized at steady state condition. Logistic and Monod kinetic models were employed to describe microbial activities of cheese whey in an anaerobic digester. The hydraulic retention times (HRT) in the range of 6 to 24 h were investigated throughout the experiments. Lactose conversions were 58.5 and 99.4% for HRT of 6 and 16 h, respectively. The methane production rates were 6.57 and 3.25 l/h for HRT of 6 and 24 h, respectively. Monod biokinetic coefficients, K s, s, s, m m and methane yield (Y M ) were 8.59, 7.63 (h -1 ) and 0.11 (g methane/g lactose), respectively