Effects of temperature elevation from 37 to 55°c on anaerobic treatment of sulphate rich acidified wastewaters

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Abstract
Acetate and propionate removals exceeded 80–90% in UASB reactors treating sulphate rich substrates at 37°C. The elevation of the temperature of the UASB reactors to 55°C by increments of 1–3°Cd‐1 resulted in the complete cessation of propionate and sulphate conversion at 48°C, and of acetate conversion at 51–53°C, respectively. The applied fast (2–4 hours) temperature increase immediately stopped all treatment efficiencies. At 55°C, the presence of high sulphate concentration stimulated the propionate removal recovery. The UASB studies and batch assays showed that acetate was converted by methane production at 37°C and by sulphate reduction at 55°C.