Kinetics of Biofilms in Unsaturated Granular Media

Abstract

The performance characteristics of a granular media trickling filter were modeled using a dispersed flow hydraulic model and Monod-type biological kinetics assuming a uniform biofilm thickness. Numerical methods and computer techniques were used to derive substrate removal efficiency based on the properties of the medium used in the filter and the feed solution. The relationship among mass transfer coefficient \iE and two dimensionless parameters η\dD and \iZ\i\dD could be given numerically. The effect of temperature on the removal efficiency was studied, and equations were derived to transform the results generated by the model to a desired temperature. The numerical model was applied to data from the literature.