A septic tank-UASB combined system for domestic wastewater treatment: a pilot test

A 250 L and a 550 L pilot scale Up-Flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) reactors having different reactor height were fed septic tank effluents and operated at ambient temperatures of 0 degrees C to 30 degrees C. Both UASB reactors were fed intermittently at least 8 times per Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT) and the performance was monitored at 4d and 1d HRT. The removal efficiencies of Total Suspended Solid (TSS) and Total Chemical Oxygen Demand (CODt) were about 59-68% and 54-59%, respectively, for both reactors at both HRT. The TSS and CODt removal efficiencies of Septic tank - UASB combined system were above 80% for both HRTs tested. The average biogas yields were almost same at 4d and 1d HRT, representing 31(63)% of influent CODt. The nitrogen and phosphorous removal efficiency was an average 20-30%. The tested system can become a suitable low cost yet effective option.