Performance Evaluation of a Two-Phase Anaerobic Digestion Process of Synthetic Domestic Wastewater at Ambient Temperature

A two-phase anaerobic digestion process of synthetic domestic wastewater was studied at ambient temperature in mild to cold climates. The hydrolytic stage was carried out in a continuous stirred tank reactor with an effective volume of 1.2 L. The hydrolytic reactor operated at hydraulic retention times (HRTs) in the range of 1.3 to 2.7 h, which allowed for optimum HRT to be obtained in order to achieve a maximum amount of soluble COD. For the methanogenic stage, an up-flow anaerobic filter with a volume of 1.35 L and corrugated * Address correspondence to R. Borja, Instituto de la Grasa (C.S.I.C.), Avda. Padre García Tejero, 4, 41012-Sevilla, Spain (Phone: +34 95 4689654, Fax: +34 95 4691262; E-mail: [email protected])