Laboratory Investigation into Factors Affecting Performance of Anaerobic Contact Process for Pear Processing Wastewater

Results obtained from this research showed that the anaerobic contact process was applicable to pear waste with COD removal efficiencies of up to $95\%$ depending on conditions, provided ammonium and phosphate salts were added as well as other nutrients, present in the commercial fertilizer, Milorganite or in yeast extract. These latter materials were required in minimum concentrations of 5 and 1.5 g/L, respectively, in the feed independent of HRT and volatile solids loading rate, with part of the effect due to the mineral fraction. Digestion was satisfactory over the whole range of volatile solids loading rates and liquid retention time of 30 to 0.5 days tested, although treatment efficiency dropped off noticeably between 1 and 0.5 day liquid retention time because of poorer flocculation and separation of anaerobic bacteria. Settling of anaerobic bacteria including methane producing bacteria was related to settling of mixed liquor suspended solids only at 1 to 5 days liquid retention times, at other liquid retention times anaerobic microorganism settled markedly less efficiently than mixed liquor suspended solids. Further studies are being made to provide information of practical and basic interest. Data on the composition of the active fraction of yeast extract might solve many practical nutrient problems encountered with the anaerobic contact process and improve its economics. Further improvement in the flocculation and settling of anaerobic bacteria as well as other bacteria would improve overall performance and allow the use of shorter liquid retention times with dilute waste. Knowledge about the numbers of methane formers present would allow a degree of understanding and control of the process not presently attainable.