Mass-Transfer Characteristics within Microbial Systems

Abstract

The diffusion coefficient within a microbial system was determined by both diffusion and kinetic studies on the basis of Fick's model and an effectiveness factor model, in order to predict the mass-transfer characteristics of this system. It was found to be dependent on the molar weight and C/N ratio of the compounds and substrates used in the diffusion study. On the otherhand, the transitional film thickness from a reaction limited case to a diffusion limited one was found to be about 150 µ in a kinetic study. The observed diffusion coefficient in the diffusion study was of the same order as that of the kinetic study.