Anaerobic Fluidized Bed (AFB) Reactor

previously named EGSB,

previously, previously named HRUASB

Abstract

The AguaClara Team is looking to expand from providing sustainable drinking water solutions to also providing highly efficient sustainable wastewater treatment processes. The Fall 2016 Anaerobic Fluidized Bed Reactor (AFB) group is focused on assessing the treatment capabilities of an AFB reactor through the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and the production of biogas. Previous groups have designed AFB reactors to handle a flow rate of 0.18 mm/s with a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of one hour. This group shall continue using the previously designed reactors to begin developing a characterization of reactor performance based upon the previously mentioned flow rate and HRT. The goal is to make recommendations for reactor modifications to meet optimal COD removal and biogas production for the treatment of wastewater.

Spring 2017

The initial focus of the Spring 2017 Anaerobic Fluidized Bed team (AFB) was to continue developing declogging mechanisms for the reactors, however it was learned that side-stepping declogging was possible by focusing on steady-state operation of the reactors. Thus, the middle of the semester included design of two reactor set-ups designed to determine the fastest hydraulic residence time (HRT) that could feasibly be used. The new designed showed that not enough was known about the treatment process to move forward productively, so an extensive literature search was performed to gather more information necessary for a possible redesign in the fall.

Fall 2016

The anaerobic fluidized bed (AFB) team was created to work within the wastewater sub-team to operate and analyze bench-scale anaerobic reactors. The team will utilize existing reactors designed in previous years and evaluate performance based upon the design influent flow rate, hydraulic retention time, biogas yield and COD removal efficiency. Initial literature review was conducted on upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) and expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactors to inform reactor design. Further calculations will be conducted to determine optimal influent upflow velocity, influent flow rate, reactor dimensions, and number of reactors.

Spring 2016

The expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) team was created to work within the wastewater subteam to design and run new anaerobic reactors. New designs are being drafted to increase upflow velocity and flow rates of influent, create a fluidized bed, decrease hydraulic retention time, and increase granular retention. Initial literature review was conducted on UASBs and expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactors to inform reactor design. Calculations are being done to determine optimal influent upflow velocity, influent flow rate, reactor dimensions, and number of reactors. Designs will be finalized and reactors will be constructed in upcoming weeks.