1. Is the anaerobic treatment process less advanced than the aerobic treatment process, with regards to toxic matters and inhibitory factors? 

A: .The two treatments involve completely different processes, so it is unreasonable to try to compare them; it is only possible to compare treatments within one technology. For example, in general, aerobic bacteria can tolerate relatively higher levels of toxic matters and other inhibitory factors, such as acidic/alkalic pH, high salinity, and temperature fluctuations.

Aerobic and anaerobic processes, as well as other chemical, biological, and physical water and wastewater treatment technologies, are designed and developed to target different pollutants and/or different conditions. The anaerobic process is typically employed for high strength organic wastewater, and the aerobic process is commonly used in the treatment of wastewater at low concentration. These differences of application are defined by the nature of the biological processes, not the individual technology. 

With its unique technology design, our GX/HP-UASB system can operate at higher levels of inhibitory factors, such as salinity (for example, as sulphate) and low pH, while still maintaining greater treatment efficiency.

 

2. Does this technology require post-treatments in order to meet effluent discharge standards to a natural water body, such as a lake and river? Are there any disadvantages?

A: Yes, in order to effectively treat industrial wastewater to meet the rigorous standards for discharging to a natural water body, the treatment system should integrate several different processes and technologies, all working together. 

 

3. Does controlling pH level in a reactor while monitoring volatile fatty acids present a significant challenge?

A: pH control is one of the key elements in the effective operation of an anaerobic reactor, and to maximise biogas production. Each anaerobic technology has its own specific requirements for pH control. Our GX/HP-UASB reactor system also requires delicate monitoring and control of pH level; however, monitoring of VFA (volatile fatty acid) is not necessary for every project. Our GX/HP-UASB technology can bear a relatively lower level of pH, as well as the shock effects of changing pH.

 

4. Must the operation temperature be maintained at 35°C? 

A: The GX/UP-UASB system employs the mesophilic AD process, based on the optimisation of treatment and energy efficiencies. Achieving high treatment efficiency at low operation temperature is the goal that all researchers and engineers in the AD industry ultimately wish to achieve. In the market, there are many different AD technologies designed to operate in different temperature ranges. Any comparison between these technologies should be carried out using a baseline with the same treatment efficiency (concentration level of pollutants, flow rate, hydraulic retention time/HRT). Without such a baseline, it is unreasonable to conclude that technologies operating at higher temperature are less robust.

 

5. Any potential odour issues are there with your anaerobic treatment technology? 

A: It depends on the quality of the wastewater; the source of the odour must be identified, for example, sulphate in the effluent. 1st-Gen and 2nd-Gen GX/HP-UASB reactor systems may have some odour issues, however, the system is supplied with accessories for odour control and removal. More importantly, the 3rd-Gen GX/HP-UASB system employs a reactor featuring a completely sealed design, so there is no odour issue with this version. 

 

6. Is the biogas produced then dissolved in the effluent? Are there any measures to prevent biogas from escaping into the atmosphere?

A: These are basic questions in chemistry: first of all, the biogas composition must be defined; then, the factors which decide the solubility of the biogas; the nature of the gas (CH , CO , H , etc.); temperature and pressure.