Up Flow Anaerobic Filter (UAF) Treatment of Rural Domestic Sewage at Different Psychrophilic and Mesophilic Temperatures

Abstract

Abstract. This empirical research paper revealed the findings from the up flow anaerobic filter (UAF) treatment of rural domestic sewage at different pschrophilic and mesophilic temperature. The reactor was operated at specific HRT of 24, 48 and 72 hours. In the first 14 days of the start-up, the results obtained from the reactor revealed good removal efficiency. At the mesophilic temperature, average COD removal reached 82.0%; while at psychrophilic temperature the reactor attained 68.7%. From the overall results, UAF reactor managed under mesophilic condition disclosed higher COD removal efficiency as compared to psychrophilic temperature which is similar to values obtained in hot regions. Experimentally, up flow anaerobic filter reactor operated at mesophilic temperature is recommended for rural domestic sewage treatment at a specific HRT of 3 days.