analysis of a pilot-scale anaerobic baffled reactor treating domestic ...

5.3 Feed characteristics and loading rates: Phase II-IV ............................................................ 90
5.3.1 Characterisation of Kingsburgh WWTP wastewater ....................................................... 90
5.3.2 Analysis of variations in feed wastewater between phases of operation ......................... 91
5.3.3 Hydraulic and organic loading rates: Phase II – IV ......................................................... 92
5.4 ABR outflow stream characteristics: Phase II - IV ............................................................. 93
5.4.1 COD ................................................................................................................................. 93
5.4.2 Total and volatile solids ................................................................................................... 95
5.4.3 Alkalinity ......................................................................................................................... 95
5.4.4 Free and saline ammonia and Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen ................................................... 97
5.4.5 Phosphorus ....................................................................................................................... 98
5.4.6 Sulphate ........................................................................................................................... 98
5.5 24 h sampling campaign – Phase III, day 99-101 ............................................................... 99
5.5.1 Diurnal variation of inflow characteristics ...................................................................... 100
5.5.2 Diurnal variation of outflow characteristics .................................................................... 102
5.5.3 Conclusions – 24 h sampling campaign .......................................................................... 104
5.6 Compartment Dynamics: Phase II - IV ............................................................................... 105
5.6.1 Solids levels and concentration ........................................................................................ 105
5.6.2 pH value and soluble COD concentration ....................................................................... 112
5.6.3 pH values during souring incident ................................................................................... 115
5.7 Microbiological studies of the pilot-scale ABR .................................................................. 116
5.7.1 Pathogen indicator organisms .......................................................................................... 116
5.7.2 Microbial community studies .......................................................................................... 117
5.8 Summary of operation at Kingsburgh Wastewater Treatment Plant .................................. 123
5.8.1 Outflow characteristics .................................................................................................... 123
5.8.2 Diurnal variation in inflow characteristics ....................................................................... 124
5.8.3 Sludge dynamics within compartments ........................................................................... 124
5.8.4 Soluble COD and pH dynamics within compartments .................................................... 125
6 Discussion: Implications for design and operation .............................................129
6.1 Pilot-scale ABR study – implications for design ................................................................ 129
6.1.1 pH buffering and phase separation .................................................................................. 129
6.1.2 Sludge accumulation and microbial community dynamics ............................................. 132
6.1.3 Pathogen removal and effluent characteristics ................................................................ 137
6.1.4 Gap analysis ..................................................................................................................... 137
6.2 Mass balance to determine probable sludge/methane production rates .............................. 138
6.2.1 COD mass balance ........................................................................................................... 139
6.2.2 Nitrogen mass balance ..................................................................................................... 142
6.3 Development of a sludge age model for an accumulating system ...................................... 144
6.4 Calculation of range of outflow characteristics .................................................................. 145
6.4.1 Sötemann et al. (2005) model of steady-state anaerobic digestion .................................. 145
6.4.2 Steady-state model implementation ................................................................................. 146
6.4.3 Inputs into the steady-state model of the ABR ................................................................ 148
6.4.4 Comparison of steady-state model predictions with experimental data .......................... 149
6.4.5 Significance of steady-state modelling study .................................................................. 152
6.5 Biochemical model of the ABR .......................................................................................... 153
6.5.1 Model construction .......................................................................................................... 154
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