Comparative Study on Start – Up Performance of HUASB and AF Reactors Treating Poultry Slaughterhouse Wastewater

A study was performed in Hybrid Up flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (HUASB) and Anaerobic Filter (AF) reactors to compare the start-up time and optimum HRT required for the treatment of poultry slaughterhouse wastewater under similar loading conditions. Initially, the reactors were started at an OLR of 0.77 Kg COD/m3.d and HRT of 36 h. Loading rates were increased by reducing HRT 24, 16, 12, 10 and 8h which corresponds the OLR of 1.15, 1.74, 2.27, 2.74, 3.43 Kg COD/ m3.d. HUASB reactor showed TCOD and SCOD removal efficiencies of 80% and 86%, respectively at an optimum HRT of 10 h whereas AF reactor showed 70% (TCOD) and 79% (SCOD) at optimum HRT of 12 h. Reducing HRT beyond 10h in HUASB reactor shown sludge wash out and lower COD removal efficiencies of less than 80% and beyond 12 h in AF marked decreased efficiencies as low as 66%. HUASB and AF reactors took 120, 147 respectively, for complete start-up. The granules of 2-2.5 mm sizes were observed in HUASB and less than 1 mm were observed in AF with settling velocities ranging between 0.5-0.83 m/min and 0.5 -0.65m/min, respectively. From Residence Time Distribution studies, dispersion numbers ( < 0.2) showed both the reactors attained plug flow regime. The present study revealed that the HUASB reactor has very good removal efficiency and less start-up time compared to that of AF reactor for the treatment of poultry slaughterhouse wastewater.