E2.04 Hahn 2014 ReNUWIt Annual Meeting Poster

Wastewater contains large amounts of energy that can be converted to methane through microbial mineralization, eliminating or substantially reducing the costly need for aeration, and reducing excess biomass production. Energy positive wastewater treatment is facilitated by modifying existing treatment plants to include anaerobic processes. Anaerobic Baffled Reactors (ABRs) could help to bridge the gap between current practice and energy positive treatment, through conversion of influent organics to methane. ABRs direct raw wastewater through sequential cells under upflow and downflow conditions. This configuration hinders the lateral migration of solids along the length of the reactor, and enhances contact with the biomass, with minimal energy input. The hydraulic and solids detention times are effectively decoupled, and a dense bioactive layer accumulates in each cell. By increasing solids retention, treatment at ambient temperature is effective without excessive hydraulic detention times. ABRs can be used for primary or secondary treatment of wastewater in conjunction with membranes, fixed film processes, or reduced aerobic treatment. The goal of the research is to:
• Convert approximately 50% of influent COD to methane
• Derive a mathematical model which describes reactor operation • Identify major microbial communities
• Facilitate low energy nutrient removal or recovery processes