Applications of Anaerobic Digestion for the Treatment of Industrial Wastewaters in Europe

Abstract

Abstract For many decades, anaerobic digestion has been the most important technique of sewage sludge treatment at larger sewage‐treatment works. Also, the low running costs of the process make it attractive for the treatment of strong industrial effluents. This paper reviews these advantages and discusses some disadvantages of the anaerobic treatment of industrial effluent. Operating and cost data are presented from Europe and from a detailed UK case study which supports the conclusion that anaerobic treatment will be the most cost‐effective method of treatment of strong industrial effluents such as those from food and paper processing.