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'''An Anaerobic Filter is a fixed-bed biological reactor. As wastewater flows through the filter, particles are trapped and organic matter is degraded by the biomass that is attached to the filter material.'''
Active bacteria must be added to start up the Anaerobic Filter. The active bacteria can come from sludge from a septic tank that has been sprayed onto the filter material. The flow should be gradually increased over time, and the filter should be working at maximum capacity within six to nine months. With time, the solids will clog the pores of the filter. As well, the growing bacterial mass will become too thick and will break off and clog pores. A sedimentation tank before the filter is required to prevent the majority of settleable solids from entering the unit. Some clogging increases the ability of the filter to retain solids. When the efficiency of the filter decreases, it must be cleaned. Running the system in reverse mode to dislodge accumulated biomass and particles cleans the filters. Alternatively, the filter material can be removed and cleaned.
==References==
==Acknowledgements=={{* Morel, A. and Diener, S. (2006). [http:Acknowledgements Sanitation}}//www.eawag.ch/forschung/sandec/publikationen/ewm/dl/GW_management.pdf Greywater Management in Low and Middle-Income Countries, Review of different treatment systems for households or neighbourhoods]. Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag), Dübendorf, Switzerland. Short summary including case studies, page 28.
==References * Polprasert, C. and external links==Rajput, VS. (1982). [http://docs.watsan.net/Scanned_PDF_Files/Class_Code_3_Sanitation/323.2-82SE-884.pdf Environmental Sanitation Reviews: Septic Tank and Septic Systems]. Environmental Sanitation Information Center, AIT, Bangkok, Thailand. pp 68–74.
* MorelSasse, A. and Diener, SL. (20061998). Greywater Management [http://www.indiawaterportal.org/sites/indiawaterportal.org/files/Decentralised_%20wastewater_%20treatment_%20in_%20developing_%20countries_A_%20handbook_%20by_%20BORDA_1998.pdf DEWATS: Decentralised Wastewater Treatment in Low and Middle-Income Developing Countries]. BORDA, Review of different treatment systems for households or neighbourhoods. Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science Bremen Overseas Research and Technology (Eawag)Development Association, DübendorfBremen, SwitzerlandGermany. (Short Design summary including case studies, page 28Excel-based design program.)
* Polprasertvon Sperlin, CM. and Rajputde Lemos Chernicharo, VSCA. (19822005). Environmental Sanitation Reviews[http: Septic Tank and Septic Systems//www.iwapublishing.com/pdf/contents/isbn1843390027_contents.pdf Biological Wastewater Treatment in Warm Climate Regions]. Volume One. Environmental Sanitation Information CenterIWA, AIT, Bangkok, ThailandLondon. pp 68–74728–804. (Short Detailed design summaryinstructions.)
* SasseVigneswaran, LS., et al. (19981986). DEWATS[http: Decentralised //books.google.com/books/about/Anaerobic_Wastewater_Treatment.html?id=NIJJcgAACAAJ Environmental Sanitation Reviews: Anaerobic Wastewater Treatment in Developing Countries-Attached growth and Sludge blanket process]. BORDA, Bremen Overseas Research and Development AssociationEnvironmental Sanitation Information Center, BremenAIT Bangkok, GermanyThailand. (Design summary including Excel-based design programcriteria and diagrams in Chapter 2.)
* von Sperlin, M. and de Lemos Chernicharo, CA. (2005). Biological Wastewater Treatment in Warm Climate Regions. Volume One. IWA, London. pp 728–804. (Detailed design instructions.)==Acknowledgements== * Vigneswaran, S., et al. (1986). Environmental Sanitation Reviews{{: Anaerobic Wastewater Treatment-Attached growth and Sludge blanket process. Environmental Acknowledgements Sanitation Information Center, AIT Bangkok, Thailand. (Design criteria and diagrams in Chapter 2.)}}