Anaerobic sequencing batch reactors for wastewater treatment: a developingtechnology

This paper describes and discusses the main problems related to anaerobic b atch and fed-batch processes for wastewater treatment. A critical analysis of the literature evaluated the industrial application viability and propos ed alternatives to improve operation and control of this system. Two approa ches were presented in order to make this anaerobic discontinuous process f easible for industrial application: (1) optimization of the operating proce dures in reactors containing self-immobilized sludge as granules, and (2) d esign of bioreactors with inert support media for biomass immobilization.