A Model Analysis of Microbial Retainment Process in Porous Support Particles in a Fluidized-Bed Wastewater Treatment Reactor

Abstract

The microbial retainment process in porous support particles in a fluidized-bed wastewater treatment reactor was investigated. The behavior of retained and suspended microbes differed in three reactors, each containing particles of a different pore size. To analyze this phenomenon, a model was proposed which includes the growth of both retained and suspended microbes, the capture of suspended microbes by the porous particles and the detachment of retained microbes.
It was found that the specific capture rate of suspended microbes was larger in particles of smaller pore size and that detachment had occurred in particles of larger pore size.