Evaluation of suspended particle - attached growth fermenters treating liquid swine waste

The study employed a woven synthetic nylon mesh media suspended in 300 L anaerobic fermenters at a 25% fill ratio to provide a support surface for attached biological growth. Four hydraulic retention times (5, 3, 2, and 1 day) were studied at an organic influent concentration of 15 g VS/L using nominal mesophilic (35/sup 0/C) temperature. A 300 L control reactor with no media was also observed as a performance base to evaluate the suspended particle attached growth fermenters. Results from the study show increasing promise for methane production from highly dilute waste waters.