Factors Affecting BOD5 and TSS Removal from Wastewater Using UASB Reactor

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficiency of the UASB reactors (Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket) at the laboratory scale in processing the mixture of domestic wastewater (greywater and black water). Two parameters of influent concentration and the upflow velocity were changed for the evaluation. Low, medium and high influent concentrations were used and the parameters examined were Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD 5 ) and Total Suspended Solid (TSS). Results showed 76% as the maximum BOD 5 removal efficiency and the maximum TSS removal efficiency was 72%. The BOD 5 and TSS concentrations available to be removed by the microorganisms increased with the increasing wastewater concentration. Generally, slower upflow velocity allowed more time for the biomass to achieve substrate decomposition in the wastewater, therefore higher removal efficiency was observed with slower upflow velocity. Nevertheless, further processing of the treated wastewater is recommended as the treatment using the UASB reactor did not meet the quality standards specified by the Ministerial Environmental Decree of Indonesia.