A NEW METHOD TO SOLVE A NON-STEADY-STATE MULTISPECIES BIOFILM MODEL

A transient multispecies model for quantifying microbial space competi tion in biofilm is derived from existing models, introducing a new app roach to biomass detachment modelling. This model includes inert bioma ss, substrate diffusion and utilization rate within the biofilm and di ffusional layers. It predicts the evolution of biofilm thickness, bulk substrate concentration, species distribution and substrate concentra tion within the biofilm. A zero-dimensional transient model is describ ed. Its steady-state solution is used to set up initial conditions of the one-dimensional model and ease computation towards steady-state so lution. Some numerical tools have been developed, enabling fast comput ation on microcomputers. Simulations show the validity of a zero-dimen sional model and perturbated systems are also simulated. Simulations w ith experimental data give acceptable results.