ABSTRACT The sago industry is a significant contributor to the economy but generates large volumes of high-strengthorganic wastewater. This study investigates the performance of an Anaerobic Fluidized Bed Reactor (AFBR)for treating sago effluent. The AFBR, utilizing polypropylene media as a carrier for microbial attachment,was evaluated for its efficiency in removing Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biological Oxygen Demand(BOD), and Total Suspended Solids (TSS). The reactor was operated in up-flow mode, facilitating highbiomass retention and enhanced contact between wastewater and anaerobic microbes. Results demonstrated asignificant reduction in organic pollutants, with COD removal efficiencies reaching up to 88% and BODreduction of 91%. Furthermore, the system promoted resource recovery through methane generation. Thestudy concludes that AFBR technology provides an economically viable and sustainable solution formanaging industrial sago waste.
Mr. S. RAGHAVAN, Mr. P. VIGNESH, Dr. A. KUMAR, Dr . D. BHUVANESWARI (Tue,) studied this question.