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I operate an anaerobic UASB system for the treatment of
700m3/day Cane molasses based Distillery Spentwash.
This plant has been in operation for the last 6 years.One of
the UASB ractors was recently opened for the repairs of the feed distribution
Network. Besides many interesting findings , one puzzling observation was that,
throughout the period when the Anaerobic Biomass was being removed from the
reactor(i. e. for about 3 weeks) , a very strong odour of Ammonia was
persistent in the reactor. Actually H2S smell was expected as the
Spentwash contains high concentrations of sulfates and the Anaerobic Biomass
contains Sulfate Reducing Bacteria. But No H2S smell was
encountered.
Can somebody please throw some light on the possible reasons
for the presence of this strong Ammonia smell ??
P.S. 1.No external Nitrogen was being added as the
TKN concentration in the distillery spentwash is in the range of 1000
to 1500 mg/L. 2. Moderate quantities of yeast may have accumulated in the
reactor(Source: Distillery Spentwash).
Thanks.,
Avadhut Bapat
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