Prediction of a membrane-coupled anaerobic VFA fermenter efficiency using an empirical model

An empirical model based on some statistical analysis for predicting produc ed volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration was developed to establish reli able design conditions of a membrane-coupled anaerobic VFA fermenter (MCAVF ) and assess its performance with influent organics concentration (C-i), me mbrane filtration ratio (phi) and hydraulic loading rate (HLR). The empiric al model followed the same trend as the experimental data, which showed the effectiveness of the model. The relationship involving these three indepen dent variables explained more than 90% of the variation in the dependent va riable. A model explains that the produced VFA concentration is more sensit ive to changes in influent organics concentration (Ci) and membrane filtrat ion ratio (phi) than hydraulic loading rate (HLR). This empirical model can predict the optimum values of operation parameters on many scenarios. Due to its simplicity, the empirical model can be used to design and operate a membrane-coupled anaerobic VFAs fermenter.