Evaluation of anaerobic baffled reactor modified by anaerobic filter (ABR-AF) for Solid waste leachate treatment

Background and Solid waste leachate including different physical, chemical and biological pollutants is one of the most contaminated wastewater types. The limitations of conventional biological method for leachate treatment are the high energy consumption, nutrient requirement, sludge production, and cost. Ïn this research, the researchers studied the efficiency of anaerobic baffled reactor modified by anaerobic filter (ÂBR-ÂF) in solid waste leachate treatment located in Sari.Materials and methods Ïn this study, two glass reactors (six cells) were used. Ëach cell in upward section was equipped with a sampling port (and also a gas exit) and the volume of each reactor was 5.7 L. The initial cell was used for suspended solid settling and the last cell acted as an anaerobic filter in ÂBR-ÂF. The blank reactor characteristics were the same as the initial one except that it was without sludge and filter media. The interior temperature of the cells was adjusted by four electrical elements. Âfter reaching the equilibrium, the leachate with different organic loading entered the reactor. Then, different parameters (ÇÔD, BÔD5, TSS, o-phosphate, nitrate, ammonia, pH, etc.) were measured in different places of the reactors. Âll analyses were performed according to the book of “Standard Methods for the Ëxamination of Water and Wastewater”. To analyze the data, analysis of variance and regression tests were performed in SPSS version 16. The system efficiency for ÇÔD removal varied in the range of 39-96%. The maximum efficiency for ÇÔD removal was related to three days detention time and 10.72(Kg ÇÔD/m3.d) organic loading, while the minimum efficiency for it before the filter was related to one day detention time and 1.96 (Kg ÇÔD/m3.d) organic loading. The average efficiency for BÔD5 removal varied from 39 to 58% and it ranged from 4 to 16% for o-phosphate removal.Çonclusion: The ÂBR-ÂF system alone is not able to provide the effluent discharge requirement to surface and groundwater, but it can meet the needs of effluent discharge requirement to agricultural waterways.