Estimation of the intrinsic maximum substrate utilization rate using batch reactors with denitrifying biofilm: a...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Biotechnology
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Accurate estimation of kinetic parameters like maximum substrate utilization rate (q(max)) is crucial for optimizing bioreactor performance.
• Traditional methods often use suspended growth, which may not fully represent attached biomass in operational reactors.
• Denitrification processes are vital for wastewater treatment and nitrogen removal.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and validate a method for estimating q(max) using batch reactors with denitrification biofilm.
• To compare the q(max) values obtained from attached-growth reactors with those from traditional suspended-growth reactors.
• To determine the conditions under which attached-growth batch reactors can reliably estimate q(max).

Main Methods:

• Utilized batch reactors containing denitrification biofilm to estimate q(max).
• Compared results with estimations from conventional batch reactors employing suspended growth.
• Analyzed kinetic parameters, including effectiveness factor (eta) and half-velocity constant (K(S)).

Main Results:

• q(max) values from suspended-growth reactors ranged from 0.69 to 0.71 g N/g VSS x d.
• q(max) values from attached-biomass reactors ranged from 0.74 to 0.85 g N/g VSS x d.
• Both sets of values were similar and fell within the reported literature range (0.23 to 2.88 g N/g VSS x d).

Conclusions:

• Attached-growth batch reactors can reliably estimate q(max) for denitrification biofilms.
• This method is valid when the effectiveness factor (eta) approaches 1 and substrate concentration (C) significantly exceeds K(S).
• The attached-growth method offers a unique advantage by using biomass identical to that in the parent reactor.