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Influence of Hydrodynamic Conditions on Biofilm Behavior in a Methanogenic Inverse Turbulent Bed Reactor
Author(s) -
Michaud S.,
Bernet N.,
Roustan M.,
Delgenès J. P.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
biotechnology progress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.572
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1520-6033
pISSN - 8756-7938
DOI - 10.1021/bp025610c
Subject(s) - biofilm , turbulence , biomass (ecology) , chemistry , methanogenesis , methane , inverse , volumetric flow rate , chemical engineering , bacteria , mechanics , biology , ecology , physics , genetics , geometry , mathematics , organic chemistry , engineering
This paper presents a study about the influence of gas velocity on a methanogenic biofilm in an inverse turbulent bed reactor. Experimental results indicate a dynamic response of the growing attached biomass to the changes of hydrodynamic conditions, mainly attrition constraints. Short but intensive increases of gas velocity ( U g ) are shown to induce more detachment than a high but constant gas flow rate. Hydrodynamic conditions control the composition of the growing biofilm in terms of cells and exocellular polymeric substances (EPS). The cell fraction within the biofilm ( R cell ) was found to be inversely proportional to the gas velocity. The specific activity expressed in methane production rate or COD removal rate is higher in biofilms formed under high hydrodynamic constraints. The control of the hydrodynamic conditions in a biofilm reactor should make it possible to obtain a resistant and active biofilm.