Inhibitory effects in the thermophilic anaerobic treatment of a simulated coffee wastewater

Abstract

The performance of a thermophilic upflow sludge blanket reactor, which was operated at an organic loading rate of 4 kg COD m^‐3 d^‐1 and a hydraulic retention time of 12 hours, was examined at a range of potassium:calcium ion ratios. The results confirmed that, at 55°C, the addition o f potassium ions caused an appreciable reduction in the gas production. The results also showed that, under the conditions examined, there was an optimum potassium: calcium ratio of 8–12.

Keywords:

• Thermophilic
• potassium
• calcium
• digestion
• inhibition