The installation of artificial sludge blanket layer to the anaerobic ponds has accelerated the sludge formation rates, shortened the cultivation time and improved the sludge activity. It also enhances the operability of the formation process of the anaerobic granular sludge.The impacts on the formation of anaerobic granular sludge from the artificial sludge bed and the mechanisms of granular sludge adsorption were investigated. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to measure the shapes of the anaerobic granular sludge and furthermore determine their fractal dimension. A granular sludge adsorption model was developed based on the distribution patterns, average particle sizes and water contents of the granular sludge. Results show that when attached to the artificial sludge blanket layer, the anaerobic granular sludge was evenly distributed across the layer, with particle sizes between 4mm and 5mm, and made up to 80% of the total sludge in the system. Under the SEM, their shapes were clearly observed and their fractal dimensions were between 2.68 and 2.83. Results also show strong stability of granular sludge on the artificial sludge layer. When the hydraulic loading rate reached 5kg/(L·d), they still maintained an average concentration of 5.84kg/m3. Results from the granular sludge adsorption model indicated that the internal circulation of the sludge inside the reaction pond can stimulate the formation of the anaerobic granular sludge. Peak adsorption capacity of the anaerobic granular sludge was achieved when the concentration ratio of upflow/downflow sludge fell between 0.8 and 0.9. This study will provide a reference to the formation of anaerobic granular sludge for the industrial treatment of wastewater with high organic concentrations.