ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the results obtained from the pilot plant studies conducted over a nine-month period and discusses integration of the two-phase Anitron system with the existing treatment scheme. Anaerobic methane fermentation is essentially a two-phase process in which complex organic compounds are sequentially converted through intermediates to methane. Dorr-Oliver's Anitron system is the commercial embodiment of the fixed-film fluidized bed process providing a means of optimizing the volumetric efficiency of the anaerobic process while ensuring the maximum tolerance to shock load conditions. Anaerobic pretreatment has proven to be a very attractive means of removing large quantities of organic material from highly concentrated waste streams prior to on-site aerobic treatment or discharge to a local publicly owned treatment works. The principal objectives of the pilot plant program were to derive process information for anaerobic treatment of corn processing wastewater and the design of a full-scale plant.
