Performance of Deep Biofilm Reactors

Abstract

A deep biofilm is one in which the concentration of substrate approaches zero at the attachment surface. Such a film results in the maximum rate of substrate utilization that may be supported by a given bulk substrate concentration. The mathematical relationship between a bulk substrate concentration and the corresponding maximum substrate utilization rate was used in developing design nomograms for completely mixed, and plug‐flow biofilm reactors. These nomograms may be used to determine the best possible performance that may be expected from various biofilm reactors such as anaerobic filters, aerobic, anaerobic and anoxic fluidized‐ and expanded‐bed reactors, and trickling filters. The role of particle size in the performance of a fluidized‐bed reactor is also analyzed.