Upflow anaerobic sludge blanket digestion

In the absence of any support matrix, the flow conditions create a selective environment in which only those microorganisms capable of attaching to each other survive and proliferate.

[2] Biogas with a high concentration of methane is produced as a by-product, and this may be captured and used as an energy source, to generate electricity for export and to cover its own running power.

The technology needs constant monitoring when put into use to ensure that the sludge blanket is maintained, and not washed out (thereby losing the effect).

UASB reactors are typically suited to dilute waste water streams (3% TSS with particle size >0.75mm).

Over time, the UASB model has been upgraded, pain points have been addressed, and design has been optimized - ultimately resulting in the following types of systems.