MICROSCALE MODELING OF SUBSTRATE REMOVAL KINETICS IN MULTICOMPONENT FIXED-FILM SYSTEMS

Modelling of fixed-film reactors, as for suspended growth systems has to account for all the major components and biochemical processes resp onsible for the removal of substrate. Traditionally fixed-film reactor s are viewed as two-component (substrate/biomass) systems interacting with the governing effect of molecular diffusion. Recent developments however have shown the importance of viability and product formation i n the modelling of biological systems. This paper emphasizes these two new parameters and evaluates the kinetic relationships between the bu lk substrate concentration and biofilm composition as it affects subst rate removal and residual product formation.