Transfer functions for series of continuously stirred biofilm reactors

Report, 1997

There is an increasing interest in modeling and applications of biofilm reactors. Commonly, biofilm reactors are modeled as a single continuously stirred biofilm reactor (CSBR), or as a series of such. The models can be used to extract information about the reactor, for design and to predict reactor effluent characteristics as a function of influent characteristics. A CSBR consists of a stirred tank, which the bulk water flows through, and from which substrates diffuse into a biofilm where they may be transformed into new substances by bacteria living in the biofilm. Here, standard assumptions are used to derive a general and flexible dynamic model of CSBR-systems, where the reaction kinetics are of zero or first order. An exact, and an approximate transfer function, which enables easy simulations, analysis, and implementation in real-time softwares, is derived. Particular focus is on pulse responses, which is an important experimental procedure in control and reactor design. Explicit equations for the pulse responses are presented, and parameter dependancy is discussed. Experimental data from a pilot plant nitrifying trickling filter are used to illustrate the use of transfer functions for identification of reactor and biofilm parameters.