Modelling using rRNA-structured biomass models

Abstract

Models currently used have been developed to describe the storage response in the activated sludge process. In these models the distribution of the substrate flux between growth and storage is an empirical function. rRNA-structured biomass models are proposed to describe the metabolic status of cells in view of predicting the growth response (dμ/dt) of cells in activated sludge process. The autocatalytic reaction rate of the synthesis of the PSS component (rRNA) can provide a mechanistic explanation for the growth response and the growth lag phase. The proposed models were able to describe and predict properly the growth response of the biomass in various types of reactor. Such models could be more widely applicable by using intrinsic model parameters. This would be a key improvement for as it would lead to improved models for design.