MODELING OF TURBOFLO - A NOVEL BIOFILM REACTOR FOR WASTE-WATER TREATMENT

A mathematical model of a novel industrial-scale biofilm reactor - TUR BOFLO - was developed. The reactor is an internal circulating airlift with rectangular cross-section. High density polyethylene granules wit h a density of less than 1 g/cm(3) were used to support bacterial grow th. The reactor was used for several months for nitrification of secon dary effluent. The mathematical model consisted of three differential mass balance equations for ammonia, dissolved oxygen (DO) and biomass. Description of gas-liquid mass transfer was the critical part of the model. The most successful approach was based on Higbie's penetration theory and Kolmogorov's isotropic turbulence. (C) 1998 IAWQ. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.