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Related Experiment Video

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Creating Rapid Oxygen Oscillations in Microbial Single-cell Growth Analysis using a Microfluidic Double-layer Device

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Dimensional analysis for modeling oxygen transfer in rotating biological contactor.

Anal Chavan¹, Suparna Mukherji

¹Centre for Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400076, India.

Bioresource Technology

|August 28, 2007

Summary

New models improve predictions for oxygen transfer in rotating biological contactors (RBCs). These empirical models enhance the understanding of oxygen mass transfer coefficients (KLa), aiding in the scale-up of RBC systems.

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Area of Science:

Environmental Engineering
Biochemical Engineering
Wastewater Treatment

Background:

Rotating biological contactors (RBCs) are widely used in wastewater treatment.
Existing models often inaccurately predict the oxygen mass transfer coefficient (KLa) in RBCs.

Purpose of the Study:

Develop empirical models for predicting KLa and its turbulence component (KLat) in RBCs.
Define and analyze dimensionless groups related to oxygen transfer.

Main Methods:

Utilized dimensional analysis to develop empirical models.
Collected and analyzed data from existing literature.
Defined overall oxygen transfer number (OTN) and turbulence component (OTNt) as dimensionless groups.

Main Results:

Developed models expressing OTN and OTNt as functions of disc diameter, disc area, rotational speed, and tank cross-sectional area.
Investigated the influence of water film thickness and reactor volume on OTN.
Observed that decreasing disc number and (Ad/At) decreased OTN but increased OTNt.
Found that both OTNt and OTN increase with rotational speed.

Conclusions:

The developed empirical models provide improved predictions for KLa in RBCs.
The findings facilitate the scale-up of rotating biological contactor systems.
Understanding the interplay of operational parameters is crucial for optimizing oxygen transfer efficiency.