Anaerobic Baffled Reactor
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An Anaerobic Baffled Reactor (ABR) is an upgraded version of a septic tank and consists of a series of baffles designed to treat wastewater.
Anaerobic baffled reactors (ABR) are a sanitation technology designed to treat wastewater and fecal sludge through both physical and biological treatments. ABRs are improved versions of septic tanks where the addition of baffles in series increases contact time of wastewater and active biomass (sludge), which results in improved treatment.
The physical process includes settling. Prior to entering the ABR, the wastewater travels through a settling tank (sedimentation chamber), which removes the bulk of settleable solids. The biological treatment incorporates anaerobic digestion. As the wastewater travels through the baffles, the alternating upward and downward flows increases contact time between the wastewater and the residual sludge, which contains the microorganisms that anaerobically digest organic pollutants.
ABRs are relatively simple to operate and are resistant to hydraulic and organic shock loads, require no energy, have low operating costs, result in high reduction of BOD, and produce low amounts of sludge. The wastewater effluent and sludge from the ABR still require additional treatment. Therefore, ABRs are best used in combination with other treatment technologies and can be incorporated into decentralized wastewater treatment systems (DEWATS).
Global; however, anaerobic digestion is more effective at warmer temperatures.
Depends on costs for local labor, local materials, and expert design.
ABRs are improved septic tanks and are similar to other decentralized or semi-centralized wastewater treatment systems, including: Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems (DEWATS), Biofil Digester, NG-SEPCLEAN (Next Generation Septic Tank), and Johkasou treatment tanks.
Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation
Household and neighborhood/community level with shared or public management.
