Summary
Since 80% of Russian drinking water is drawn from surface water sources, the restriction of the ingress of pollutants into running waters is of particular significance. The fact that, in general, existing sewage treatment plants incorporate only a mechanical purification stage is problematic, while industrial plants discharge waste waters with a high hazard potential.
In this regard, the “Biosorber” waste water purification system is of particular significance. This Russian development in the field of anaerobic-aerobic industrial waste water purification is the object of the Russo-German cooperation project described here. The main objectives of the project were as follows:
- the evaluation of the performance of the Russian “Biosorber” anaerobic reactor through the conduct of laboratory and industrial tests,
- the optimisation of the system on the basis of findings established and
- the evaluation of potential applications and the cost-effectiveness of the system.
Results:
- In principle, the “Biosorber” has proved to be a suitable reactor for the anaerobic pre-treatment of industrial waste waters. In comparison with other anaerobic systems, the performance of the “Biosorber” was equal to that of sludge bed and high-performance sludge bed reactors.
- At present, the costs of the system are relatively high. Potential exists for improvement through a greater degree of prefabrication, the optimisation of wall thicknesses and modular construction.
