Effluent recycling effect on UASB reactor performances is known as an important operational factor. In the present study, the possibility of intermittent recycle in UASB process for saving the power consumption was examined at different organic loading and various operational modes in recycle time period. The organic removal efficiencies of the reactors operated with the intermittent effluent recycle were considerably higher compared to those without the effluent recycle. In the intermittent recycle mode, the organic removal efficiencies slightly decreased as the non-recycle time period in the operational mode increased. Proper ratio of recycle and non-recycle time period in the mode seemed to be required to prevent the produced biogas from accumulation in the sludge bed, which caused dead zone in the reactor and sludge loss when the gas was escaped from the bed at the certain pressure.

• 이헌모 | Heon Mo Lee
• 양병수 | Byung Soo Yang