This paper presents an innovative reactor concept which is based on a double-stage biogas collection (DSBC) device aimed at controlling scum formation and accumulation in UASB reactors treating municipal wastewater. Scum production inside a control reactor and a DSBC-UASB reactor was compared and much lower scum yield coefficients were observed for the DSBC-UASB reactor. However, the mass balance indicated that the dominant control mechanism was scum disaggregation and exit to settler zone rather than scum degradation.

double-stage biogas collection, scum control, UASB reactor, wastewater treatment
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