| ABSTRACT The understanding of reactor hydrodynamics is essential for improving the performance of a reactor and biogas production. This study sought to evaluate the hydrodynamic behavior of a combined anaerobic-aerobic system at a laboratory scale for treating vinasse. The experiment was conducted in a system using two UASB reactors connected in series, followed by an Aerated Submerged Biological Filter (ASBF). The flow rates applied to the system and the corresponded theoretical HRTs in the UASB1, UASB2 and ASBF were respectively: 15.6 L d-1 and 1.2 d, 1.2 d and 1.0 d (Phase I - first year); 8.5 L d-1 and 2.1 d; 2.1 d and 1.8 d (Phase II - first year), 14.6 L d-1 and 1.1 d, 1.1 d and 1.0 d (Phase III - second year); 29.5 L d-1 and 0.6 d, 0.6 d and 0.5 d... |
