The operation of three fixed-bed anaerobic reactors with upflow and containing immobilized biomass were evaluated as regards to the removal of phenolic compounds found in the wastewater from coffee bean processing (RWC). The supports used in immobilization of the biomass were blast-furnace cinders, polyurethane foam and crushed stone. The PVC-made reactors with 139.5 L total volume were fed with increasing concentrations (13, 19.7 and 42.7 mg L-1) of phenolic compounds, and the hydraulic residence time (HRT) was maintained constant (around 1.3 days). At the end of each evaluated condition, samples were collected from the RWC along the height of the reactor for kinetic studies. Rapid acclimation of biomass attached to the blast-furnace cinders resulted in increased efficiency of removal of phenolic compounds in start-up, and the best performance of this reactor regarding the removal of these compounds over the period of the experiment. According to the results, the blast furnace cinders showed higher potential for use as supporting material of anaerobic reactors, when the objective is the removal of the phenolic compounds from RWC.
anaerobic digestion; phenol; coffee; agroindustrial effluent
