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Possible complication regarding phosphorus removal with a continuous flow biofilm system: Diffusion limitation
Author(s) -
Falkentoft C. M.,
Arnz P.,
Henze M.,
Mosbæk H.,
Müller E.,
Wilderer P. A.,
Harremoës P.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.1028
Subject(s) - anoxic waters , phosphorus , phosphate , anaerobic exercise , diffusion , chemistry , bioreactor , biomass (ecology) , biofilter , enhanced biological phosphorus removal , biofilm , nitrate , phase (matter) , denitrification , pulp and paper industry , environmental engineering , environmental chemistry , environmental science , activated sludge , wastewater , nitrogen , thermodynamics , biochemistry , organic chemistry , ecology , biology , bacteria , physiology , physics , genetics , engineering
Diffusion limitation of phosphate possibly constitutes a serious problem regarding the use of a biofilm reactor for enhanced biological phosphorus removal. A lab‐scale reactor for simultaneous removal of phosphorus and nitrate was operated in a continuous alternating mode of operation. For a steady‐state operation with excess amounts of carbon source (acetate) during the anaerobic phase, the same amount of phosphate was released during the anaerobic phase as was taken up during the anoxic phase. The measured phosphorus content of the biomass that detached during backwash after an anoxic phase was low, 2.4 ± 0.4% (equal to 24 ± 4 mg P/g TS). A simplified computer model indicated the reason to be phosphate diffusion limitation and the model revealed a delicate balance between the obtainable phosphorus contents of the biomass and operating parameters, such as backwash interval, biofilm thickness after backwash, and phase lengths. The aspect of diffusion is considered of crucial importance when evaluating the performance of a biofilter for phosphate removal. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 76: 77–85, 2001.