ALMA BIO UASB
Your experts for biogas plants - reliably available
Maksim Neubauer
Head of International Project Development
References biogas plants
Bioethanol, EGSB biogas reactor, ALMA BHU EGSB
Construction of an EGSB reactor with approx. 700 m³ and a COD load of 10,000 kg/d for the recovery of biogas from the production of bioethanol.
Sugar factory, Germany, ALMA BHU GMR
Construction of an anaerobic treatment stage or biogas plant for the recovery of energy from waste water from a sugar factory with a hydraulic capacity of 220 m³/h in Germany.
Sugar factory, Poland, ALMA BHU GMR
Construction of an anaerobic treatment stage and a biogas plant to generate energy from sugar production wastewater with a hydraulic capacity of 125 m³/h in Poland.
Südzucker AG, Ochsenfurt, ALMA BHU GMR, BIO
Treatment of sugar beet wash water in a biogas plant with pre-acidification and a COD load of 45,000 kg COD/d, for Südzucker in Ochsenfurt.
Biogas plant for Keszthely sewage treatment plant, Hungary, ALMA BHU GMR
Construction of a biogas plant for the sludge utilization of a municipal sewage treatment plant with an energy production of 2,000 kWh/d in Hungary.
Rugged, low-energy anaerobic wastewater treatment
The ALMA BIO UASB is an anaerobic upflow reactor for organically loaded industrial wastewater. The wastewater flows from the bottom through a biologically active sludge bed. In the process, organic substances are broken down and converted into usable biogas. This simple reactor technology is particularly suitable for continuous or evenly buffered wastewater streams.
Why the UASB is Economically Viable and Reliable
- Simple and Proven Reactor Technology The UASB does not require a mechanical agitator in the reactor and has comparatively few moving or high-maintenance components.
- Natural Mixing Through Biogas The gas bubbles produced during anaerobic digestion promote mixing and contact between wastewater and active biomass.
- Stable retention of biomass Anaerobic biomass that settles well forms a sludge blanket with high biological activity and low tendency to be carried out.
- Low energy and maintenance requirements The elimination of energy-intensive aeration and mechanical reactor mixing reduces ongoing operating costs.
- Reduced Load on Subsequent Treatment Stages Anaerobic COD degradation reduces the organic load prior to aerobic post-treatment and can thereby reduce aeration requirements and sludge production.
How the UASB Reactor Works
Industrial wastewater is buffered as needed, pre-treated, temperature-controlled, and adjusted to suitable pH and nutrient levels.
The inflow is evenly distributed in the lower section and then flows from the bottom to the top through the anaerobic biomass.
Microorganisms break down biologically available organic substances in the absence of oxygen and produce methane-containing biogas in the process.
In the upper section of the reactor, biogas, treated wastewater, and biomass are separated from one another. The biomass largely remains in the reactor.
Depending on the required effluent parameters, the anaerobically treated wastewater is either discharged directly or sent for aerobic or further post-treatment.
When is the ALMA BIO UASB particularly useful?
Which type of anaerobic reactor is best suited for this application?
Suitable for highly biodegradable and relatively uniform wastewater flows when simple technology, low energy consumption, and high operational reliability are the primary considerations.
Suitable for higher organic loadings and compact reactor designs with increased upflow, external recirculation, and an expanded granular bed.
Suitable for high-load or calcium-rich wastewater when intensive gas-based reactor circulation and external biomass recirculation are required.
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FAQ - ALMA BIO UASB biogas plant
What is the ALMA BHU UASB reactor and how does it work?
The ALMA BHU UASB (Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket) reactor is an anaerobic wastewater reactor for treating industrial wastewater with medium to high organic loads. It is one of the most proven anaerobic processes worldwide and is used in particular when robust, energy-efficient, and durable solutions are required.
Functional principle of the ALMA BHU UASB
In the ALMA BHU UASB, wastewater flows from bottom to top through a sludge blanket made of anaerobic biomass. The organic substances are broken down by microorganisms and converted into biogas (methane).
The rising gas bubbles ensure natural mixing without the need for mechanical agitators. In the upper part of the reactor, a 3-phase separator separates:
the biogas produced
the treated wastewater
the biomass retained in the reactor
Role of the UASB in the plant design
The ALMA BHU UASB often serves as:
central anaerobic stage
economic pretreatment before aerobic systems
CSB reduction stage with simultaneous energy recovery
Summary
The ALMA BHU UASB is an anaerobic upflow reactor that breaks down organically contaminated wastewater, produces biogas, and operates without mechanical mixing.
For which CSB concentrations and space loads is the ALMA BHU UASB reactor suitable?
The ALMA BHU UASB is designed for industrial wastewater with medium to high COD concentrations and is particularly suitable for applications with stable or moderately fluctuating loads.
Suitable CSB areas
Typical conditions of use are:
CSB concentrations from approx. 800–1,000 mg/l
easily biodegradable organic substances
continuous or evenly buffered wastewater accumulation
Maximum room load
The ALMA BHU UASB achieves organic loadings of up to
15 kg COD/m³·d.
This puts him:
below the power density of an EGSB reactor
significantly above classic large-volume bioreactors
This load allows for economical and stable wastewater treatment with moderate space requirements.
Typical industries of application
Food and beverage industry
Dairies
breweries
Sugar and starch industry
Process wastewater with uniform composition
Summary
The ALMA BHU UASB is suitable for COD concentrations above 1,000 mg/l and allows for space loads of up to 15 kg COD/m³·d.
What are the special features of the ALMA BHU UASB reactor in terms of process technology?
The ALMA BHU UASB features a simple, robust, and proven reactor geometry that is specifically designed for continuous industrial operation.
Sludge blanket with high biological activity
The anaerobic biomass forms a stable sludge layer with:
good sedimentation capacity
high biodegradability
low discharge tendency
Efficient 3-phase separator
The integrated 3-phase separator ensures:
Safe separation of gas, water, and sludge
low biomass losses
clear flow quality
Low energy and maintenance costs
Since no mechanical agitators are required:
the energy requirement is very low
maintenance requirements are significantly reduced
plant availability increases
Summary The ALMA BHU UASB utilizes a stable sludge blanket and an efficient 3-phase separator for low-energy and low-maintenance operation.
What advantages does the ALMA BHU UASB reactor offer over other anaerobic systems?
The ALMA BHU UASB is particularly advantageous when operational reliability, simplicity, and durability are paramount.
Key advantages at a glance
Proven method used worldwide
Room load up to 15 kg COD/m³·d
Very low energy consumption
No mechanical agitators in the reactor
High operational reliability
Long service life
Numerous references in the industry
Compared to high-load systems such as EGSB, the UASB is:
less complex hydraulically
more tolerant of operational deviations
particularly suitable for even inflows
Summary
The ALMA BHU UASB impresses with its simple technology, low energy consumption, and high operational reliability for medium to high COD loads.
When does it make economic sense to use an ALMA BHU UASB reactor?
The use of an ALMA BHU UASB is particularly useful when:
a robust anaerobic base level is required
Wastewater composition is relatively constant
Energy efficiency is a priority
Investment and operating costs should be minimized
Economic benefits
Reduction of COD load prior to aerobic post-treatment
Savings in ventilation energy
Biogas production for own energy supply
Low maintenance and spare parts requirements
The UASB is often the most economical anaerobic solution when extreme space constraints are not an issue.
Summary
The ALMA BHU UASB is economically viable for constant, easily degradable wastewater and moderate space loads of up to 15 kg COD/m³·d.
How can the ALMA BHU UASB reactor be integrated into existing plants?
The ALMA BHU UASB can be flexibly integrated into existing wastewater treatment concepts:
as a preliminary stage before aerobic treatment stages
in combination with neutralization, CP plants, or flotation
as part of modular ALMA complete systems
Thanks to its simple design, the reactor can:
be bolted or welded
be adapted to existing hydraulic concepts
can be easily expanded or retrofitted
Summary
The ALMA BHU UASB can be flexibly integrated into existing industrial wastewater treatment plants as an anaerobic pre-treatment stage.
Similar products: Biogas from waste water
ALMA BHU BIO EGSB
Two-stage anaerobic reactor ALMA BHU BIO EGSB, which can be fed with a high COD load due to the two-stage biogas extraction.
ALMA BHU GMR
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Maksim Neubauer
Head of International Project Development