Modelling Three-Phase Fluidized Bed Bioreactor for Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

Economically and technically interesting, the bioreactor phenomena are studied on both micro (pore and particle size) and macro (bioreactor) levels, to describe synergetic between bio-dynamics and physicochemical dynamics. Still, the three-phase bioreactors modelling remains complex. It requires taking into account numerous factors: the pollutant biodegradation rate in the biofilm, the reactant interfacial gas-liquid and liquid-solid mass transfer, the biofilm composition and growth, the granular structure and all the transfer phenomena occurring between phases in presence. The aim of this paper is to present a model based on biofilm composition and growth, the fluidized bed structure and its hydrodynamics. The simulation results are compared with our experimental data obtained for a biological treatment, carried out in three-phase fluidized bed reactor for hydrocarbons removal from refinery wastewaters. The equipment used is laboratory scale and the obtained results show that we could degrade hydrocarbons efficiently.

Comparative Kinetic Studies and Performance Evaluation of Biofilm and Biomass Characteristics of Pseudomonas fluorescens in Degrading Synthetic Phenolic Effluent in Inverse Fluidized Bed Biofilm Reactor

“…Several different types of biofilm reactors have been studied, including rotating disk bioreactors, fixed bed reactors and three phase fluidized bed bioreactors. The latter are considered superior because of large biofilm support surfaces, appropriate hydrodynamic conditions, high mass transfer rates of both oxygen and substrate and excellent contact between the liquid and solid phases (Schugerl, 1997;Reese et al, 1999;Boumehdi Toumi et al, 2008;Daugulis, 2011). However, one significant problem in practically all types of biofilm reactors, including fluidized-bed reactors, is uncontrolled biofilm growth Korpal, 2004, 2006), which limits the diffusion of oxygen and/or the organic substrate to the deeper layers of the biofilm.…”

Nitrogen and phosphorus removal in a novel extra-loop fluidized bed bioreactor (EFBBR)

“…(3) Intimate contact between the liquid and solid phases is achieved. (4) The use of supporting particles allows the partial replenishment of the fluidized bed without interrupting the operation in order to maintain high microbial activity [2].…”