Premium
Simulation of a membrane bioreactor for regeneration of degreasing systems
Author(s) -
Okoth George,
Thöming Jorg,
Schmidt HansJürgen
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of chemical technology and biotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1097-4660
pISSN - 0268-2575
DOI - 10.1002/jctb.1436
Subject(s) - degreasing , substrate (aquarium) , biodegradation , bioreactor , biomass (ecology) , population , membrane bioreactor , pulp and paper industry , chemistry , membrane , environmental engineering , environmental science , chemical engineering , engineering , biology , ecology , biochemistry , organic chemistry , demography , sociology
The dynamic behaviour of membrane bioreactors (MBRs) with negligible biomass growth due to the presence of toxic substances was modelled to simulate a pilot plant test in an industrial degreasing unit. Modelling was done by introducing a substrate biodegradation rate into a material balance equation of an MBR. This was followed by a discrimination procedure between the simulated and measured values, from which best‐fit specific substrate uptake rates ( q sp ) were determined at different air supply rates. The results showed clear improvement of q sp with increased air supply, indicating a possible increase in the active cell population in the reactor due to reduced toxicity. The highest specific substrate uptake rate ( q sp = 0.08 g substrate g biomass −1 d −1 ) determined was assumed equal to the maintenance coefficient ( q m ) for the biodegradation of the substrate under the test conditions. The understanding of the dynamics provided a reference in subsequent regeneration system improvement. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry