Treatment of winery wastewater with an anaerobic rotating biological contactor.

Performances of an anaerobic rotating biological contactor (AnRBC) have been tested with winery wastewater. A 50 litres pilot has been used during a 4 month period. It was observed that the start-up took place in one month until the biofilm stabilized. Optimal performances were obtained with a COD removal close to 80%, with the following conditions: temperature of wastewater at 20 degrees C, volume load of 2 kg COD m(-3) d(-1), mass load of 0.3 kg COD kg MVS(-1) d(-1), surface load of 0.11 kg COD m(-2) d(-1). However, it is possible to enhance some experimental conditions to obtain better results, especially in increasing the total surface of the biodisk and in controlling temperature to the mesophilic optimal value (37 degrees C). In such conditions it is estimated that for 80% COD removal, volume load could approach 20 to 25 kg COD m(-3) d(-1).