A mathematical model for solid particle degradation by an aerobic biof
ilm of Bacillus coagulans is developed. A moving biofilm is assumed to
be present on the surface of the solid particle. Oxygen and glucose a
re assumed to be growth limiting. The depleting glucose concentration
in the solid particle is tracked as a function of time and it is found
that the time taken for degradation of the particle is a function of
particle size. Comparison with the experimental results found in liter
ature on the particle size reduction by the action of Bacillus coagula
ns (Nandakumar et al., 1996) indicates that the model is able to predi
ct the general trends of experimental data well. It is suggested that
the diffusion of the enzyme glucoamylase plays a crucial role and is a
more dominant determining factor than the variation of the compositio
n of particles with size as suggested previously (Nandakumar et al., 1
996) for the experimental observation that larger particles rook more
time to degrade than smaller particles, It is hoped that the results o
btained will lead to a better understanding of the mechanism of partic
le degradation by aerobic biofilms and help in better design of biofil
m reactors. (C) 1997 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.