Promoting sludge granulation by putting xonotlite into the UASB reactors during starting-up stage

Four reactors of up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) were concurrently operated to examine the effects of the xonotlite secondary particles on promoting the sludge granulation during the starting-up stage at room temperature. The results show that the putting of the xonotlite secondary particles into the UASB reactors can increase the basicity of the reacting liquid significantly. The particles can act as the media for biomass accumulation. Thus, the granulation process of the sludge within the reactor can be largely promoted by the special performances of the particles both in physical and chemical aspects.