Ana-Flo™ Reactor

Overview of the Ana-Flo Reactor, Configured as an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket System

The Ana-Flo™ reactor produces biogas with a high concentration of methane. When this byproduct is captured, it can be used as an energy source to generate electricity for the plant or to put back in the grid, providing customers with equipment that does double duty.

The Ana-Flo, a methanogenic (methane producing) reactor configured as an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) system, can be used as a pretreatment stage for waste streams with elevated levels of BOD and COD. It works by consuming the influent carbon in a temperature-controlled environment under the absence of oxygen. The byproducts are a treated effluent and usable methane gas.

WesTech offers further treatment options for the effluent, such as aerobic treatment for further reduction of BOD/COD, nutrient removal steps, or capture and storage of the biogas produced by the Ana-Flo.

Equipment

The Ana-Flo Reactor includes a distribution header, and a three phase separator that incorporates gas collection, liquid discharge, and solids containment. For some applications, fixed-film treatment is used for improved treatment efficiencies.

The reactor can be a circular or rectangular tank and constructed from steel or concrete.

Benefits and Features

  • Breweries and beverage
  • Distilleries and fermentation
  • Food processing
  • Pulp and paper
  • Chemical and petrochemical
  • Textile
  • Generation of biogas
  • Produces less biosolids
  • Requires less nutrients
  • Handles organic shockloads
  • BOD 60 - 90% removal
  • COD 60 - 80% removal

When comparing the Ana-Flo Process to a typical aerobic treatment process, there are significant advantages in both power consumption and solids production.

Parameter Anaerobic Aerobic
Power consumption (kW) 1.5 65
New biosolids production (kg TSS/d) 15 – 100 200 – 600
Energy produced (kW) 140 n/a

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