The Anaerobic Treatment of Food and Citrus Processing Wastewaters

Anaerobic treatment technology for wastewater has developed rapidly over the last decade. The major driving forces are the low operating costs and the energy benefit derived from the methane generated. Also, increasing Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) surcharges imposed on industrial sewer discharges can often be minimized by anaerobic treatment alone. A variety of new technologies has emerged to treat the various types of wastewater produced. The food and citrus processing industry produce wastewater both low and high in BOD and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) as well as other unique constituents. The advantages and disadvantages of the different types of technologies are discussed, especially as they apply to the types of wastewater produced in the food processing industry. (Operating data from a full scale anaerobic plant treating a fermentation wastewater is presented.) The pilot plant scale study on a citrus wastewater is discussed. Paper published with permission.</jats:p