Stability studies of thermophilic anaerobic sludges under suboptimal feeding conditions and temperatures

The behaviour of thermophilic anaerobic sludge from the UASB process was investigated under suboptimal conditions. Stability studies, carried out during the normal operation of the reactors, showed that a short-term decrease in temperature had no influence on the behaviour of the process. Nevertheless, interruptions in feeding and a long-term decrease in temperatures can produce very drastic effects on the stability of the system.