Dispersion in suspended growth systems

Abstract

Abstract Correspondence is established between a bioreactor having a given dispersion number and the equivalent ideal reactors-in-series system. A numerical method is used to determine the effluent concentrations. Dimensionless quantities and computer techniques are used in the calculations. Design tables are given to determine the required hydraulic residence time for a reactor with a given dispersion number, when the inlet and required outlet conditions and the coefficients of Monod kinetics are known. Application of the theory to plug-flow reactors is demonstrated and the results obtained are compared with the analytical solution.