ABSTRACT
Anaerobic digestion processes offer great potential for the treatment of many types of wastewaters. This chapter provides information about the anaerobic process and upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor design for treating soluble noncomplex wastewaters and complex partially soluble wastewater. Industrial wastewaters containing insoluble or potentially insoluble pollutants, and compounds that give rise to inhibition or toxicity, to foaming, scaling, and/or sludge floatation can be designated as belonging to the category of "complex" wastewaters. Considering the treatment of the group of nonacidified soluble wastewaters, some researchers or engineers recommend the installation of a separate acidogenic reactor. The application of a separate acidogenic reactor may be beneficial when specific toxic or obnoxious compounds can be eliminated from the wastewater. A satisfactory operation of an anaerobic treatment facility requires a proper control of the system, and as far as possible and economical, the maintenance of optimal environmental conditions.
