Anaerobic treatment of textile size effluent

This investigation focused on the KwaZulu-Natal province, where a number of under-utilised and under-performing anaerobic digesters were identified. T he aim of the study was to assess the potential for treatment of high-stren gth or toxic organic agro-industrial effluents in the available capacity. T he anaerobic digestion of a textile size effluent was investigated. Inhibit ory components and concentrations of the solution were identified. The size solution was degraded anaerobically but could cause overloading of a diges ter at high concentrations. The performance efficiency of the anaerobic dig esters at the Umbilo Sewage Purification Works was evaluated. The digesters were operating efficiently and had available hydraulic and organic capacit ies. This investigation confirmed the potential for the treatment of high-s trength organic effluents in the available anaerobic digester capacity. (C) 1999 IAWQ Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.