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Mass transfer and temperature effects on substrate utilization in brewery granules
M M Wu1, C S Criddle, R F Hickey
1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824.
Biotechnology and Bioengineering
|June 5, 1995
Summary
Diffusional resistances, not temperature, limit substrate utilization in brewery granules. Smaller granule size enhances substrate uptake rates in UASB reactors, impacting overall efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Bioreactor engineering
- Wastewater treatment
Background:
- Brewery granules are crucial for substrate utilization in UASB reactors.
- Understanding mass transfer limitations is key to optimizing bioreactor performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of liquid film and diffusional resistances on substrate utilization by brewery granules.
- To determine the influence of granule size and temperature on acetate, propionate, and ethanol utilization.
Main Methods:
- Calculated effectiveness factors by comparing substrate utilization rates of whole granules and disrupted flocs.
- Assessed temperature effects on acetate utilization across a range of temperatures (26-37°C).
- Applied the Van't Hoff-Arrhenius equation to model temperature-dependent floc behavior.
Main Results:
- Substrate utilization rate increased significantly with decreased granule size.
- Effectiveness factors varied for different substrates, indicating substrate-specific limitations.
- Flocs exhibited higher temperature sensitivity than whole granules, but temperature had minimal impact on effectiveness factors.
Conclusions:
- Both liquid film and diffusional resistances significantly influence substrate utilization rates in UASB reactors.
- Diffusional limitations within granules are more critical than temperature effects.
- Granule size is a key factor in optimizing bioreactor efficiency for brewery wastewater treatment.
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