Preliminary biomass characterization in a sequencing batch biofilm reactor

The paper reports the results of an investigation aimed to evaluate the influence of hydrodynamic conditions on physical and biochemical characteristics of granular sludge obtained in a SBBR system. Biomass density resulted very high, i.e. 70-125 gTSS/L(biomass), and this permitted to achieve a biomass concentration such high as 17-45 gTSS/L(bed). An appropriate equation proved that the pressure loss, an easily measurable parameter, can be used for biomass porosity measurement and indirect assessment of biomass concentration in the biofilter. As for biomass biochemical characterisation, the EPS (Extracellular Polymeric Substances) content was rather low (5-7% of the total organic matter) and mostly made up of proteins whereas the cellular protein content, a parameter frequently used as an indicator of microorganisms activity, was high (30-60% of total organic matter).