TROUBLESHOOTING THE UASB PROCESS

The UASB (upflow anaerobic sludge blanket) process is being applied with increasing frequency for biological treatment of wastewater from a variety of industrial sources. Experience shows that UASBs may perform below design removal efficiencies. Due to the complexity of anaerobic processes in general, and particularly of the UASB process, it is often difficult, time consuming, and expensive to troubleshoot this process. The process manufacturers cannot always provide timely troubleshooting services most often due to lack of available personnel. Therefore, there is a great need for a rational and methodical approach to troubleshooting UASB processes. Troubleshooting information and services need to be available to industrial operators to make the UASB process more effective and acceptable.This paper presents a general approach to troubleshooting the UASB process and is based on information gathered from several UASB troubleshooting assignments, conversations with the UASB system manufacturers, interviews with operators, and information that is available in the professional and patent literature.