TECHNICAL PAPERS
Jul 1, 1992

pH Control in Anaerobic Treatment of Industrial Wastewater

Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 118, Issue 4

Abstract

Based on a comprehensive analysis of four groups of chemical and biological reactions, a general pseudo‐steady‐state mathematical model of the anaerobic‐digeston buffer system was developed. According to the characteristics of the wastewater being treated and the biological efficiencies of the reactors, this model was able to predict the pH, the concentration of bicarbonate in the effluent, and the percentages of methane, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide in the biogas from several laboratory‐scale reactors of different configurations treating different types of influent. The model showed that the composition of the wastewater, such as the concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA), sulfate, nitrogenous compounds, and chemical oxygen demand (COD), has a profound effect on the chemical demands for pH control in anaerobic digestion. By means of simulation, some operational factors, such as the flow pattern in the reactors, recirculation and the effectiveness of different chemicals for pH adjustment are also discussed.

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Published In

Go to Journal of Environmental Engineering
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 118Issue 4July 1992
Pages: 551 - 567

History

Published online: Jul 1, 1992
Published in print: Jul 1992

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Authors

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G. K. Anderson
Sr. Lect., Dept. of Civ. Engrg., Univ. of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, England
G. Yang
Grad. Student, Dept. of Civ. Engrg., Univ. of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, England

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