Updated: July 2002

The PANBIC system is a new version of biological treatment system in which anaerobic treatment of high strength organic wastewater and production of methane are carried out simultaneously.
Aerobic treatment of high strength organic wastewater (CODcr 2,000 mg/l or higher) requires great volume of air intake for mixing with wastewater. As a result, both energy consumption and sludge production become high. To the contrary, in the case of anaerobic treatment by the PANBIC system, organic matter is decomposed into methane(CH4)and carbon dioxide(CO2)by anaerobic bacteria which do not require oxygen supply. It is, therefore, an energy-saving treatment system.
In the conventional anaerobic treatment, maintaining bacteria in a high population density was difficult. A technical breakthrough, however, was made as a result of a 10-year long research program made by Celanese Chemical Company, Inc. U. S. A., which developed anaerobic reactors with 3-to 4-fold efficiency.
A number of full scale PANBIC systems incorporating 1,00-5,000m³ reactors have been operated in a satisfactory manner for a long time. Succeeded in improvement of the system and systematization, Shinko Pantec, general water treatment engineering company, is ready for customers with severe demands.
The PANBIC system has dramatically improved the conventional anaerobic treatment. The development of anaerobic(AB) reactor and unique PANBIC system are the secrets of the improvements.
1) Recycle system
Partially recycled anaerobic treatment effluent not only dilutes and equalizes raw wastewater but also induces buffer action, thus accelerates activation of bacteria and improves treatment effect.
2) Heat recovery
Heating raw wastewater with heat recovered from anaerobic treatment effluent greatly reduces energy requirements.
3) Process and bio-mass control
By detecting gas production volume, CODcr concentration and bio-mass density innaerobic effluent, the optimum loading rate can be obtained to achieve highly reliable operation and stable treatment.

1. Advantages

1) Use of produced methane gas reduces fuel cost.
2) Electric consumption can be reduced by less than 30%.
3) Excess sludge production is reduced to less than ¼, greatly minimizing the expense for sludge disposal.
4) Easy maintenance due to highly reliable operation.

2. Treatment Effect

The anaerobic reactor is capable of treating organic wastewater(CODcr: 2,000mg/l or more) at;
COD removal ratio: more than 70%
(at loading rate of 6-13kg CODcr/(m³d)
Methane gas Production: 0.35m³N/kg CODcr removed

Flow diagram of PANBIC system wastewater treatment

Case study of operating