BEHAVIOR OF SUSPENDED-SOLIDS AND ANAEROBIC-BACTERIA IN AN ANAEROBIC FIXED-BED REACTOR

Effects of packing of the filter media on substrate degradation and on behavior of anaerobic bacteria were investigated using an upflow anae robic fixed bed reactor operated at 20 degrees C. A low strength synth etic wastewater containing suspended solids was used as the substrate. Here, cellulose corresponds to suspended solids in domestic sewage. T he effluent water quality is improved remarkably by packing of the fil ter media. packing of the filter media promotes the degradation of ins oluble matter as well as soluble matter of the influent. Insoluble mat ter (cellulose) in the influent does not accumulate in the interstitia l space of the filter media and on the surface of the filter media, bu t acclimates in the lower part of the reactor. Packing of the filter m edia promotes the accumulation of lipolytic bacteria, acetate consumin g methanogenic bacteria and hydrogen consuming methanogenic bacteria i n the space where filter media were packed. Hydrolysis reaction of cel lulose is promoted by packing of the filter media.