Sustainable Management of Dairy Wastewater using Anaerobic Biological Processes

This study presents a critical review of the dairy wastewater characteristics and evaluates applicability of anaerobic treatment process which helps in effective management. Wastewater generated from different dairy products exhibits significant variability in pollutant load, highlighting the need for adaptable and efficient treatment strategies. Among the available treatment methods, anaerobic biological processes are recognized as the most sustainable option due to organic matter removal capacity, energy required is low and renewable energy is produced. Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactors and Anaerobic Fluidized Bed Reactors have demonstrated COD and BOD removal efficiencies exceeding 90% under optimized operating conditions. Hybrid reactor shows COD removal efficiency 5% higher and increase in biogas production by 20% as compared with convection heated reactors. The study identifies the need for hybrid treatment systems, optimization of low-cost packing media, and improved biogas yield to improve efficiency of anaerobic treatment of wastewater produced by dairy industry.