Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Two-step upflow anaerobic sludge bed system for sewage treatment under subtropical conditions with posttreatment in waste stabilization ponds

  • Published:
Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A pilot-scale sewage treatment system consisting of two upflow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactors followed by five waste stabilization ponds (WSPs) in series was studied under subtropical conditions. The first UASB reactor started up in only 1 mo (stable operation, high chemical oxygen demand [COD] removal efficiency, low volatile fatty acids concentration in the effluent, alkalinity ratio above 0.7, biogas production above 0.1 Nm3/kg of CODremoved). Removal efficiencies up to 90% were obtained in the anaerobic steps at a hydraulic retention time of 6+4h (80% removal in the first step). Fecal coliform removal in the whole system was 99.9999% (99.94% in anaerobic steps and 99.98% in WSPs). COD balances over UASB reactors are provided. A minimum set of data necessary to build COD balances is proposed. Intermittent sludge washout was detected in the reactors with the COD balances. Sludge washout from single-step UASB reactors should be monitored and minimized in order to ensure constant complicance with discharge standards, especially when no posttreatment is provided. The system combined high COD and fecal coliform removal efficiency with an extremely low effluent concentration, complying with discharge standards, and making it an attractive option for sewage treatment in subtropical regions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Seghezzo, L., Zeeman, G., van Lier, J. B., Hamelers, H. V. M., and Lettinga, G. (1998), Bioresour. Technol. 65, 175–190.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Elmitwalli, T. A. (2000), PhD thesis, Wageningen University, The Netherlands.

  3. Singh, K. S. and Viraraghavan, T. (2001), in Proceedings of the 9th World Congress on Anaerobic Digestion 2001, Pt. 1, van Velsen, A. F. M. and Verstraete, W. H., eds., Technologisch Institut, Antwerp, Belgium, pp. 493–498.

    Google Scholar 

  4. van Haandel, A. C. and Lettinga, G. (1994), Anaerobic Sewage Treatment: A Practical Guide for Regions with a Hot Climate, John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, England.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Wang, K. (1994), PhD thesis, Wageningen Agricultural University, The Netherlands.

  6. Wiegant, W. M. (2001), in Anaerobic Digestion for Sustainable Development, Papers of the Farewell Seminar of Prof. Dr. Ir. Gatze Lettinga, van Lier, J. and Lexmond, M., eds., Environmental Protection and Resource Conservation Foundation (EPZRC), Wageningen, The Netherlands.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Lettinga, G., Roersma, R., and Grin, P. (1983), Biotechnol. Bioeng. 25, 1701–1723.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. de Man, A. W. A., van der Last, A. R. M., and Lettinga, G. (1988), in Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium on Anaerobic Digestion, Hall, E. R. and Hobson, P. N., eds., IAWPRC, Bologna, Italy, pp. 197–208.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Seghezzo, L., Guerra, R. G., González, S. M., Trupiano, A., Figueroa, M. E., Cuevas, C. M., Zeeman, G., and Lettinga, G. (2000), Water Sci. Technol., submitted.

  10. Zakkour, P. D., Gaterell, M. R., Griffin, P., Gochin, R. J., and Lester, J. N. (2001), Water Res. 35, 4137–4149.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Kalogo, Y. (2000), PhD thesis, Gent University, Belgium.

  12. Cavalcanti, P. F. F., van Haandel, A., and Lettinga, G. (2001), Water Sci. Technol. 44(4), 237–245.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Cavalcanti, P. F. F., van Haandel, A., and Lettinga, G. (2002), Water Sci. Technol. 45(1), 75–81.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Liberal, V., Cuevas, C. M., Trupinao, A. P., and Bohuid, E. (1998), in Proceedings of the 26th Interamerican Congress on Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Lima, Peru (in Spanish).

  15. Arias, M., and Bianchi, A. R. (1996), Estadisticas Climatológicas de la Provincia de Salta, Dirección de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales de la Provincia de Salta, INTA EEA Salta and Gobierno de la Provincia de Salta, eds, Salta: Argentina (in Spanish).

    Google Scholar 

  16. Haskoning and WAU. (1994), Anaerobic Treatment of Domestic Sewage Under Tropical Conditions, DECOM Manual (Design, Construction, Operation and Maintenance of UASB reactors for domestic wastewater), Wageningen Agricultural University, the Netherlands.

    Google Scholar 

  17. DET (Department of Environmental Technology). (1994), Manual of Laboratory Methods and Procedures for Anaerobic Wastewater Treatment, Wageningen Agricultural University, The Netherlands.

    Google Scholar 

  18. APHA, AWWA, and WEF. (1995), Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 19th ed., Eaton, A. D., Clesceri, L. S., and Greenberg, A. E., eds., American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association, and Water Environment Federation, Washington DC.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Marais, G. V. R. (1974), J. Environ. Eng. Div. 100, EE1, 119.

    Google Scholar 

  20. von Sperling, M. (1996), Princípios do tratamento biológico de águas residuárias. Volume 3, Lagoas de estabilização, Sanitary and Environmental Engineering Department-DESA, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil (in Portuguese).

    Google Scholar 

  21. Noyola Robles, A. (1994), in Proceedings of the 3rd Latin American Workshop and Seminar Anaerobic Wastewater Treatment, Vinãs, M., Soubes, M., Borzacconi, L., and Muxi, L., eds., Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay (in Spanish).

    Google Scholar 

  22. SeMADeS (Secretary of the Environment and Sustainable Development). (2001), Resolution no. 011, Salta, Argentina (in Spanish).

  23. European Union Council of Ministers. (1991), Off. J. Eur. Comm., 135/40.

  24. Chernicharo, C. A. L., van Haandel, A. C., Cybis, L. F., and Foresti, E. (2001), in Proceedings of the 9th World Congress Anaerobic Digestion 2001, Pt. 1, van Velsen, A. F. M. and Verstraete, W. H., eds., Technologisch Institut, Antwerp, Belgium, pp. 747–752.

    Google Scholar 

  25. WHO (World Health Organisation). (1989), Technical Report Series 778, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Zeeman, G. and Lettinga, G. (1999), Water Sci. Technol. 39(5), 187–194.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Zeeman, G., Sanders, W. and Lettinga, G. (2000), Water Sci. Technol. 41(1), 9–16.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. van der Meer, R. R. (1979), PhD thesis, Wageningen Agricultural University, The Netherlands.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratorio de Estudios Ambientales (CIUNSa-INENCO), Universidad Nacional de Salta, Buenos Aires 177, A4402FDC, Salta, Argentina

    Lucas Seghezzo, Aníbal P. Trupiano, Viviana Liberal, María E. Figueroa, Marcelo A. Gutiérrez, Ana C. Da Silva Wilches, Martín Iribarnegaray, Raquel G. Guerra, Angélica Arena & Carlos M. Cuevas

  2. Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Sub-Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University, Bomenweg 2, 6703 EV, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Patrick G. Todd, Grietje Zeeman & Gatze Lettinga

Authors
  1. Lucas Seghezzo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Aníbal P. Trupiano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Viviana Liberal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Patrick G. Todd
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. María E. Figueroa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Marcelo A. Gutiérrez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Ana C. Da Silva Wilches
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Martín Iribarnegaray
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Raquel G. Guerra
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Angélica Arena
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Carlos M. Cuevas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. Grietje Zeeman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  13. Gatze Lettinga
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lucas Seghezzo.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Seghezzo, L., Trupiano, A.P., Liberal, V. et al. Two-step upflow anaerobic sludge bed system for sewage treatment under subtropical conditions with posttreatment in waste stabilization ponds. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 109, 167–180 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1385/ABAB:109:1-3:167

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/ABAB:109:1-3:167

Index Entries

Search

Navigation