Sequencing batch reactor (SBR) and sequencing batch airlift reactor (SBAR) with the formation of aerobic granules

This research examined novel configuration of SBAR in lab-scale for industrial wastewater treatment. To evaluate COD removal efficiency and granules formation of the novel reactor (R1), SBAR system (R2) was operated under similar conditions during the experimental period. R1 and R2 with working volume of 3.6 and 4.5 L were used to cultivate aerobic granules. Both reactors were operated for 4 hr/cycle. Experiments were done at different OLRs ranging from 0.6 to 4.5 Kg COD/m.d for R1 and from 0.72 to 5.4 Kg COD/m.d for R2. After 150-day operation, large-sized black filamentous granules with diameters of 0.5-2 and 2-11 mm were formed in R1 and R2, respectively. In the second part of the experiment, the removal efficiency of toxic aniline by aerobic granules was investigated. It was found that COD removal efficiency of the novel airlift reactor was over 97 and 94.5 percent using glucose and aniline carbon source, respectively. Keywords— Aerobic granules, Aniline removal efficiency, Sequencing batch airlift reactor, Sludge volume index.