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Modeling dynamic experiments on the anaerobic degradation of molasses wastewater
Author(s) -
Denac M.,
Miguel A.,
Dunn I. J.
Publication year - 1988
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.260310102
Subject(s) - wastewater , biochemical engineering , degradation (telecommunications) , anaerobic exercise , pulp and paper industry , chemistry , environmental science , waste management , environmental chemistry , biology , engineering , environmental engineering , physiology , telecommunications
The kinetics of anaerobic degradation of a molasses wastewater were measured under constant pH conditions in a laboratory scale packed bed reactor. In continuous and batch experiments the formation and degradation rates of the organic acids (butyric, propionic and acetic) have been followed. The influence of hydrogen gas on the acid degradation rates has been measured and, contrary to the literature and the thermo‐dynamic calculations, no inhibition was detected, biofilm diffusional effects may be the reason. Two dynamic simulation models were tested, a heterogeneous model, which considered the biofilm diffusion–reaction phenomena and a quasihomogeneous model with the same kinetics. Except for hydrogen, the diffusion effects were found to be negligible. Otherwise both models gave essentially the same results and the time profiles of acids, hydrogen, carbon dioxide and methane agreed relatively well with dynamic startup experiments. Batch experiments showed the acid concentrations to be highly sensitive to the initial molasses concentration. This aspect was not included in the model but is being investigated further.