ANAEROBIC TREATMENT OF KENAF STEM WOOD APMP WASTE-WATER

The characteristics, pollution load and anaerobic biodegradability of the wastewater from an alkaline peroxide mechanical pulping (APMP) pro cess using kenaf stem wood as raw material were investigated. The wast ewater had a high anaerobic biodegradability, although it contained pe roxide which is toxic to anaerobic bacteria. A biological preacidogeni c reactor was used to eliminate peroxide toxicity and acidify the wast ewater, which then entered a UASB reactor. The results showed that the wastewater could be treated efficiently using the two-phase UASB syst em. At 36 +/- 1-degree-C and an average loading rate of 12 kg COD m-3d -1, 84% COD removal, 96% BOD removal and a methane yield of 0.30 Nm3 k g-1 COD removed were achieved.