Affiliation:
1. Department of Aquatic Environmental Engineering, Institute for Water and River Basin Management, University of Karlsruhe (Technical University), Adenauerring 20, 76128 , Karlsruhe, Germany (E-mail: erhard.hoffmann@iwg.uni-karlsruhe.de)
Abstract
The rotating biological contactor (RBC) process offers the specific advantages of a biofilm system in treatment of wastewater for removal of soluble organic substances and stabilisation of nitrogen compounds. Being a unique adaptation of the moving-medium biofilm system, it facilitates easy and effective oxygen transfer. However, process optimisation and adaptability under different conditions remain challenging tasks for the efficient use of this technology. Although modelling helps to study system performance under various external conditions, satisfactory mathematical representation is lacking due to the dynamic nature of the RBC system. In this work, it has been attempted to frame a mathematical model for a three-stage RBC process in simple and realistic ways. The model is based on the well-known principles of one-dimensional mass transfer and transport of substances. The biochemical conversion process is adopted from the Activated Sludge Model No. 3 which represents a mixed-culture biomass environment. Owing to the dynamic nature of oxygen transfer, which is the typical limiting substrate in municipal wastewaters, the boundary layer is assumed to be completely mixed and concentrations averaged over the entire volume. A part of the boundary layer is assumed to be exposed to air and the rest submerged in bulk liquid at all times. The model results are compared with laboratory-scale experimental data available at 25 °C. Sensitivity analysis is performed with the model to study the significance of variation of different system parameters or the surrounding environment. In essence, the model helps to explore the flexibilities within a RBC system and optimise the process design accordingly.
Subject
Water Science and Technology,Environmental Engineering
Cited by
15 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献