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Transport of bacteria in porous media: II. A model for convective Transport and growth
Author(s) -
Sarkar A. K.,
Georgiou George,
Sharma Mukul M.
Publication year - 1994
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.260440413
Subject(s) - porous medium , bacteria , permeability (electromagnetism) , bacterial growth , convection , transport phenomena , partial differential equation , chemistry , biological system , mechanics , porosity , physics , membrane , biology , biochemistry , genetics , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics
Abstract A model is presented for the coupled processes of bacterial growth and convective transport of bacteria has been modeled using a fractional flow approach. The various mechanisms of bacteria retention can be incorporated into the model through selection of an appropriate shape of the fractional flow curve. Permeability reduction due to pore plugging by bacteria was simulated using the effective medium theory. In porous media, the rates of transport and growth of bacteria, the generation of metabolic products, and the consumption of nutrients are strongly coupled processes. Consequently, the set of governing conservation equations form a set of coupled, nonlinear partial differential equations that were solved numerically. Reasonably good agreement between the model and experimental data has been obtained indicating that the physical processes incorporated in the model are adequate. The model has been used to predict the in situ transport and growth of bacteria, nutrient consumption, and metabolite production. It can be particularly useful in simulating laboratory experiments and in scaling microbial‐enhanced oil recovery or bioremediation processes to the field. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.