Treatability Studies of Dairy Effluent Using Anaerobic Filter ( Af )

Abstract

Treatability Studies Of Dairy Effluent Using Anaerobic Filter ( Af )

Anaerobic treatment is often reported to be an effective method of treating dairy effluents. The aim of this paper is to summarize recent research and case studies on dairy wastewater anaerobic treatment.

The main characteristics of Treatability Studies Of Dairy Effluent Using Anaerobic Filter ( Af ) is industrial dairy waste streams are identified and the anaerobic degradation mechanisms of the primary constituents in dairy waste waters are described, namely carbohydrates (mainly lactose), proteins and lipids. Then, the primary focus is on bench–pilot–full-scale anaerobic treatment efforts for dairy waste effluents. Combined (anaerobic-aerobic) treatment methods are also discussed.

In addition, the dairy industry is one of Europe’s largest sources of industrial effluent. A typical European dairy generates about 500 m3 of waste effluent per day. Dairy waste effluents are concentrated in nature and the main contributors to these effluents are carbohydrates, proteins and fats from milk.

Conclusion

Conventional anaerobic treatment processes are often used in the treatment of dairy waste water. The most common reactor configurations used are particularly anaerobic filter sand UASB reactors.

In fact, the UASB reactors are very suitable for treating waste water from the food industry as they can treat large volumes of waste water in a relatively short period of time. In the near future, more research should be directed towards the treatment of dairy waste water in pilot and full-scale UASB reactors in order to exploit these potential benefits outlined.