MODELING OF BIOACTIVE CARBON ADSORBERS - A HYBRID WEIGHTED RESIDUAL-FINITE DIFFERENCE NUMERICAL TECHNIQUE

Phenomenological mathematical models incorporating adsorption, mass tr ansfer, and biofilm degradation were developed for performance predict ion/simulation of bioactive carbon fixed-bed and fluidized-bed adsorbe rs in wastewater treatment. The model equations were solved by a numer ical technique combining a weighted residual technique such as orthogo nal collocation with finite difference method. This hybrid technique w as numerically consistent and stable and provided accurate solutions a t computing times lower than those corresponding to pure orthogonal co llocation. The bioadsorber model parameters were independently determi ned from carefully designed laboratory-scale experiments and correlati ons. The model predictions of bioadsorber effluent concentration profi les were in strong agreement with the experimental data, illustrating the good predictive capability of the model. Sensitivity studies were performed to identify the influence of model parameters on the bioacti ve adsorber dynamics.