Abstract
Due to water shortage in cities, small wastewater treatment plants are needed and new technologies are demanded. Pilot plant experiments were made to evaluate the performance of a submerged aerobic biofilm system for the treatment of municipal wastewater. Influent flow rates were varied to adjust organic loading rates from 5.2 to 28.8 gCOD/m2 d. Using COD values, the pilot plant performance was analyzed for kinetics simulation. The Stover–Kincannon and a general variable-order models were used to analyze the data obtained over several months of experimentation. The data showed good correlation with the Stover–Kincannon model but not with the variable-order model. The results lead to a design organic load of 20 gCOD/m2 d to reach an effluent COD under 50 mg/l.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 14 June 1999
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
González-Martínez, S., Lippert-Heredia, E., Hernández-Esparza, M. et al. Reactor kinetics for submerged aerobic biofilms. Bioprocess Engineering 23, 57–61 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004499900122
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004499900122