Anaerobic–Aerobic Sewage Treatment Using the Combination UASB-SBR Activated Sludge

The performance of a pilot scale sewage treatment system composed of an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) digester and a sequencing batch activated sludge reactor (SBR) is described. The system constitutes a simple, economic, and compact treatment option and is able to produce consistently a final effluent quality that is equal or better than that of a conventional activated sludge plant. The entire treatment system had a retention time of only 9h and an average operational temperature of 25 degrees C. Due to the efficient anaerobic pre treatment the aerobic sludge production was low and could easily be accommodated for stabilisation in the UASB reactor. The system exhibited excellent operational stability with full nitrification for aerobic sludge ages longer than 9 days. At shorter sludge ages there was excessive wash out of sludge particles and the sludge mass could not be maintained in the SBR reactor. Sludge settleability was good throughout the experimental investigation period of one year. The reduction of the reactor volume and oxygen consumption was more than 50% compared to conventional activated sludge. The anaerobic excess sludge had a high concentration and good stability so that its dewatering and final disposal was a relatively minor problem.