Anaerobic treatment of brewery wastes

Some of the common key microorganisms involved in the different degradation stages of the anaerobic digestion process can be seen in Table 19.1. In the absence of microbial inhibitory conditions, the distribution and balance of the various microorganisms in any anaerobic digestion system depend on the nature of the available substrates. 

In comparison with aerobic treatment processes, in anaerobic digestion biodegradation occurs in the presence of oxygen the advantages and disadvantages of anaerobic digestion are summarised in Table 19.2. As indicated in this table, anaerobic treatment can play an important role in cost-effective waste management and environmental protection. 

Brewing Microbiology. http //dx.doi.Org/10.1016/B978-l-78242-331-7.00019-8 Copyright 2015 Elsevier Ltd, All rights reserved. 

Hydrolysis of complex polymers by extracellular enzymes to simpler soluble products. 

Fermentative or acidogenic bacteria convert simpler compounds to short chain fatty acids, alcohols, ammonia, hydrogen and carbon dioxide. 

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Zoutberg, G.R. and Frankin, R., Anaerobic treatment of chemical and brewery waste water with a new type of anaerobic reactor the Biobed EGSB reactor, Water Sci. Technol., 34, 375-381, 1996. 

This section addresses some of the specihc factors pertinent to the use of anaerobic processes as part of a treatment regimen for the management of brewery waste. 

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