Biofilm thickness effect on the diffusion limitation in the bioprocess reaction: Biofloc critical diameter significance

0178-515X

Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology

Abstract  A convenient physical model for biomass involves consideration of individual cells as “active” centers dispersed through a continuous region in which transport takes place by molecular diffusion. This paper investigates for steady state conditions the variation of apparent kinetic constant (K ′ m ) of bacteria in relation to biofloc diameter with solid and/or liquid-phase diffusion. When the biochemical reactions are limited only by liquid-phase diffusion, the K ′ m increases when D increases. With solid-phase diffusion limitation only, the K ′ m increases linearly with the diameter D of the floc. When both solid and liquid-phase diffusion limitations are considered, the apparent K m is affected by liquid-phase diffusion limitation with very small D and by solid-phase diffusion limitation with higher D. The critical diameter D C can be assumed to be the D at which solid-phase diffusion limitation becomes more significant than liquid-phase diffusion limitation.

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