Some observations on organic removal in an SBR

Abstract

A laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactor was fed with synthetic wastewater based on sucrose to determine the biokinetics of the process. The values of u_max and K_s were found to be 0·32 h⁻¹ and 563 mg/litre, respectively, while the yield constant was determined to be 0·656 with a standard deviation of 0·102. COD removal was good. The relationship between the food:microorganisms (F/M) ratio and SVI was explored and results showed that increases in the F/M ratio led to decreases in SVI values. The initial adsorption of substrate was proportional to the amount of biomass in the reactor. Comparisons between changes in MLVSS and Total Viable Count were made and MLVSS was not found to be a good indicator for the viability of organisms in the reactor.