Process for the anaerobic treatment of sludges and waste waters

摘要

The invention is used in the continuous anaerobic treatment of sludges and waste waters which have a high content of organic substances, such as for example in the case of intensive animal husbandry. The invention is particularly suitable for heavily contaminated sludges and waste waters. The object of the invention is to create an apparatus in which a single-stage or two-stage anaerobic degradation can be carried out with high intensity, the heat losses and the temperature differences being minimised by compact construction. The apparatus according to the invention comprises a cylindrical vessel which has a reaction chamber for carrying out the methane fermentation and a separation chamber where separation effects resulting from sedimentation and flotation are utilised. As a result of expedient arrangement of passageways in the lower part of the wall separating the reaction chamber and the separation chamber from each other, return of sludge into the reaction chamber is permitted and undesired circulation of the liquid is avoided. The reaction chamber and the separation chamber have a common gas collecting chamber above them. Thickened sludge can be withdrawn from a sludge collection chamber in the lower part of the separation chamber.