Simulation of a periodic anaerobic baffled reactor (PABR): steady state and dynamic response

The Periodic Anaerobic Baffled Reactor (PABR) is a novel high-rate configuration for wastewater treatment. The reactor resembles an ABR with the compartments arranged in a circular manner. The feeding and effluent points are periodically set in different compartments by proper manipulation of valves that determine the flow pattern. This way of feeding makes the reactor response oscillating and gives the PABR a great flexibility in the operation mode. A 15 litre PABR was operated on a gelatin based medium under steady and variable organic loading rate. The experimental conditions were simulated using a mathematical model whose primary feature was that each compartment was considered as a two-section tank, each section with a different biomass concentration in them. The degree of biomass accumulation was determined indirectly by the operating conditions and the reactor dynamics and was not set a-priori.