 Raw effluents enter at the base of the reactor and are pumped upwards, passing through the different levels before exiting. Effluents can also be fed in through the sides of the different levels of the reactor. In some cases, wastewater is pre-heated to an optimal temperature of 35°C to stimulate microbial activity.
Gases produced during the process bubble through the biomass until they reach the plate above. The plates retain gas bubbles, forcing them to move horizontally and exit through side vents. Trays are filled with biomass to 80% of their capacity. The excess is removed at about one year intervals, depending on the effluent's characteristics, and buried in an approved landfill site.
Only minor quantities of gas manage to rise to subsequent levels. Thus undesirable agitation, which would disturb bacteria or lead to their loss, is avoided at the reactor's surface. Gases, passing through the plates, stir up the sludge beds and clean out connecting conduits, thus preventing the formation of dead pockets.
 The principal gases recovered are methane (about 80%) and carbon dioxide (about 20%).
Fabrication and installation time for a Multiplate Reactor is about five months; three weeks are required for start-up. After this, the reactor can be activated instantaneously. There are no moving parts in the system. The only energy input is for pumping, automatic controls and heating the wastewater. No special safety devices are needed to operate the reactor. Operation is fully automatic and requires the presence of a technician, qualified in water treatment, for about four hours per day. Operating limits of the reactor must be observed at all times. |
The organic matter is partly converted to methane through an anaerobic biological process. Gas emissions are collected at the reactor outlet, to be burned or to provide energy to the industry. 
