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Anaerobic treatment of a low strength complex wastewater made of cellulose and sucrose (40:60) was studied in a 10 L capacity laboratory scale anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR). It was operated at hydraulic retention times (HRTs) of 20, 15, 10, 8, and 6 h. Corresponding organic loading rates (OLRs) were 0.6, 0.8, 1.2, 1.5, and 2 kg COD/m3d. At every HRT (or OLR), pseudo steady state was achieved. Even at maximum OLR of 2 kg COD/m3d, total COD and BOD removals exceeded 88%. Compartmentwise profiles of parameters show that larger the OLR, more number of initial compartments play significant role in the removal of COD (or BOD). The volatile fatty acids profile demonstrated that hydrolysis and acidogensis are the main biochemical activities in the initial few compartments. On the basis of the tracer study, dead space in ABR was found to range from 23 to 34%. The flow pattern in the ABR could be classified as an intermediate between plug and perfectly mixed flows. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2007