ABSTRACT
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21.1 INTRODUCTION
The effective treatment of wastewaters is crucial to the operation of food processing plants. Whereas aerobic processes effectively treat low strength wastes, anaerobic processes more effectively treat high strength wastes. These high strength wastes have chemical oxygen demand (COD) levels greater than 2,000 mg/L or biological oxygen demand (BOD) levels greater than 1,000 mg/L. However, these thresholds can be lowered by biomass retention and proper nutrient supplementation, and if the wastewater is warm and contains adequate alkalinity. Anaerobic processes treat high strength wastes without the high energy requirements
and biomass production of aerobic processes. In addition methane rich biogas is produced as a renewable energy source. Up to 0.395 liters of methane (measured at 35°C and 1 atm) can be produced per gram of COD removed.
