Anaerobic wastewater treatment in (sub-)tropical regions

Abstract

Microbes, producing methane and carbon dioxide, degrade organic pollutants in wastewater under anaerobic conditions. Out of the 1200 anaerobic wastewater treatment plants installed worldwide, 40% are in the subtropical regions. This chapter discusses the applications of anaerobic treatment process in China, India, Taiwan, Thailand, Philippines, Brazil, and Mexico. The application of anaerobic treatment process in subtropical regions is not just limited to the traditional effluents of agro industries, but is also extended to the treatment of effluents from chemical industries, landfill leachate, and municipal wastewater. Many plants have been installed in the last 10 years, and the number continues to increase each year. Various surveys have been performed to estimate the number of full-scale anaerobic wastewater treatment plants. According to a survey conducted in 1999, the four leading international companies installed 338 of the 773 anaerobic wastewater treatment plants in tropical and subtropical regions. 77 plants were installed in Brazil, followed by India (75), China (43), Mexico (22), Philippines (22), Taiwan (21), and Thailand (14).