A simple anaerobic system for onsite treatment of domestic wastewater

The use of anaerobic process for domestic wastewater treatment would achieve lower carbon footprint as it eliminates aeration and generate methane. Among several anaerobic treatment processes, high rate anaerobic digesters receive great attention due to its high loading capacity and chemical oxygen demand removal rate. Up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor (UASB) is getting wide acceptance among several anaerobic processes. However, its application is still limited to industrial wastewater treatment. There are some unresolved problems to be accepted it in developing countries with lower temperature conditions for domestic wastewater treatment. Several studies have been carried out for the performance of UASB reactor but there is still lack of updated information especially on the issue of low temperature domestic wastewater treatment. Considering the gravity of the issue, an attempt have been made to compile updated information so as to help engineers, researchers and practitioners in the selection of reactors and future prospects of research.Key words: Wastewater, anaerobic, up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor (UASB), carbon footprint