Jrv. Flora et al., NUMERICAL MODELING OF A BIOFILM-ELECTRODE REACTOR USED FOR ENHANCED DENITRIFICATION, Water science and technology, 29(10-11), 1994, pp. 517-524
Citations number
12
Categorie Soggetti
Water Resources","Environmental Sciences","Engineering, Civil
The enhancement of biological denitrification using a biofilm-electrod
e reactor (BER) is demonstrated. Removal efficiencies greater than 98%
can be achieved. At electric currents in excess of 20 mA, the rate of
denitrification within the BER is reduced due to hydrogen inhibition.
A detailed steady-state biofilm model is developed taking into accoun
t hydrogen inhibition kinetics, the diffusion of neutral and ionic spe
cies, the effects of the applied current on the diffusion of ions, gas
production within the biofilm, and the presence of a phosphate buffer
and a mass transfer boundary layer. The biofilm model is coupled to a
model of a completely stirred tank reactor (CSTR). The models are in
excellent agreement with the experimental results when the applied ele
ctric current is between 0 and 20 mA. The results of the reactor model
qualitatively predict the performance of the BER at currents greater
than 20 mA using a hydrogen inhibition constant of 10(-4) M.