The sludge used in the IC reactor was taken from anaerobic
digester degrading industry wastewater. During the startup, the
reactor was fed with tap water containing 400 mg/L dextrose as
the carbon source. To gradually expose the microbial community
with the inhibitory organic compounds an acclimation period
was necessary, allowing the development of enzyme producing
agents that are essential to induce biodegradation of dye intermediates.
Measurement of COD reduction was used to assess stabilization
of reactor. It has taken almost 30 days to have steady
state COD reduction. Then the reactor was fed with effluent.