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An integral dynamic model for the UASB reactor
Author(s) -
Bolle W. L.,
van Breugel J.,
van Eybergen G. C.,
Kossen N. W. F.,
van Gils W.
Publication year - 1986
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.260281106
Subject(s) - blanket , effluent , plug flow reactor model , steady state (chemistry) , shock (circulatory) , range (aeronautics) , process engineering , chemistry , environmental science , bioreactor , nuclear engineering , mechanics , continuous stirred tank reactor , chemical engineering , materials science , environmental engineering , physics , engineering , medicine , organic chemistry , composite material
In this article a dynamic model of a continuous working UASB reactor is described. It results from the integration of the fluid flow pattern in the reactor, the kinetic behavior of the bacteria (where inhibition and limitation were taken into account), and the mass transport phenomena between different compartments and different phases. The mathematical equations underlying the model and describing the important mechanisms were programmed and prepared for computations and simulations by computer. The settler efficiency has to be over 99% to prevent the reactor from wash‐out. When the settler efficiency is over 99%, the total sludge content of the reactor increases steadily, so the reactor is hardly ever in a steady state. This implies dynamic modeling. The model is able to predict the various observable and nonobservable or difficult to observe state variables, e.g., the sludge bed height, the sludge blanket concentration, the short‐circuiting flows over bed and blanket, and the effluent COD concentration as a function of the hydrodynamic load, COD load, pH, and settler efficiency. The optimal pH value is between 6.0 and 8.0; fatty acid shock loadings are difficult to handle outside this optimal pH range.