Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques
2020, Volume 8, Issue 3, Pages: 988-992
J. Environ. Treat. Tech.
ISSN: 2309-1185
Journal web link: http://www.jett.dormaj.com
Start-up of Modified Anaerobic Baffled Reactor for
the Treatment of Landfill Leachate by Using
Granular Sludge
1
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1
Imran Ahmad , Shreeshivadasan Chelliapan , Norazli Othman , Norhayati Abdullah and
Nithiya Arumugam2
1
Malaysia Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra, 54100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Department of Engineering, Razak Faculty of Technology and Informatics, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra, 54100, Kuala
2
Lumpur, Malaysia
Received: 23/01/2020
Accepted: 17/06/2020
Published: 20/09/2020
Abstract
The objective of this study was to valuate the start-up performance of the Modified Anaerobic Baffled Reactor (MABR) system by using
granular sludge treating landfill leachate. Anaerobic reactor start-up is a complex process as it depends on the substrate characteristics,
working conditions, inoculum and reactor configuration. To reduce the start-up time and have better operational parameters control in
anaerobic processes, important factors are needed to enhance the high-rate anaerobic systems efficiency. Sludge granulation was indeed an
achievement in anaerobic wastewater treatment technology and has greatly enhanced its efficiency and applicability. It holds many
advantages, such as mutual defence against antagonists, efficient reactor operation without sludge washout, and effluent with low suspended
solids. Granules are the functional units which comprise different microorganisms that are required for the methanogenic degradation of
organic matter. Results from this study showed a successful start-up of the MABR system at an organic loading rate (OLR) of 0.0875
3
kgCOD/m /d and hydraulic retention time (HRT) of four days. During this period the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal efficiency
was 99 % and the gas production increased steadily from 0.013 L/d to 0.021 L/d.
Keyword: Landfill leachate, Modified anaerobic baffled reactor (MABR), Granular sludge, Meat extract
Baffled Reactor (MABR) in this study was 35°C –40°C. Shorter
1
Introduction1
start-up times can be made by using wastewater that is low in
particulate organics. When the organic loading rate (OLR) and
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) concentrations are reduced by
Out of the problems which are generally encountered in the
anaerobic treatment of wastewater, one of the problems is related
to the complication in start-up. This was discussed in previous
studies that a considerable amount of time was required in the
start-up of anaerobic systems [1]. The main issue of concern is the
development of microbial culture which is suitable the most to the
incoming wastewater, vulnerable nature of most anaerobic
bacteria and utmost oxygen liability of the enzyme systems of
obligate anaerobes renders the reactor population more
susceptible to slight fluctuations [1].
8
0% ,then the value of OLR should be increased[5]. If the time of
start-up of anaerobic reactors is reduced and the operational
parameters of the system are optimum, then it will contribute to
the increase in the efficiency of the anaerobic system [6]. The
objective of this study is to identify and evaluate the start-up
performance of the MABR by using synthetic wastewater (meat
extract).
Sludge granulation is indeed an achievement in anaerobic
wastewater treatment technology as granular sludge has many
advantages as compared to sewage sludge. Biomass retention is
possible inside the reactor without the supply of a carrier material,
thereby improving the economics of the process. Anaerobic
granules are basically the particulate biofilms, formed
impulsively by auto immobilisation of anaerobic bacteria in the
absence of a support media. These dense particles, consisting of
an entwined mixture of the collegial anaerobic micro-organisms
that work together in methane fermentation, are the driving force
While initialising the start-up of anaerobic reactor, the
biomass in the reactor system is to get acclimatised with the type
and strength of wastewater(substrate),operating parameters in the
reactor system and the configuration of the reactor.Additionally,
fast growing acidogens outnumber methanogens and certain
acetogen [2,4]. As a result, volatile acids (VA) and dissolved H
2
are accumulated. Generally, anaerobic reactors are commenced
on mesophilic temperature (33°C –40°C) and it advances the
growth of methanogens. The temperature maintained during the
treatment of landfill leachate by using Modified Anaerobic
Corresponding author: Imran Ahmad, Malaysia Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Jalan
Sultan Yahya Petra, 54100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Email: mustafwibinqamar@gmail.com.
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