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Development of a Simplistic Mathematical Model for Simultaneous Nitrification and Denitrification in Moving Bed Bioreactor

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Abstract

The phenomenon of simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) occurring inside thick biofilm in aerated reactors can be expressed in terms of simple mathematical equations based on Fick’s theory of diffusion. The fundamental concept behind the model is the formation of a diffusional gradient of substrates and dissolved oxygen within the biofilm, which creates stratified environments favoring the occurrence of two completely different processes. A simplified mathematical model is developed to analyze nitrogen removal via SND in moving bed bioreactors (MBBR), which considers the effects of biomass loss due to hydraulic shear, abrasion due to particle-to-particle collision, and endogenous decay. To estimate substrate removal in the biofilm, Monod growth kinetics is followed, and relevant boundary conditions are applied to obtain a solution using the second order differential equation. A computer program in conventional FORTRAN language is developed to predict effluent concentrations, implying that the same could be developed in other advanced languages. Experimental validation of the model confirms that analytically obtained data remain within a maximum deviation of 10%, and the total biofilm thickness is indicative of the formation of anoxic zones that support denitrification.

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Data Availability

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the Ministry of Education, Government of India.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Civil Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur, Howrah, India

    Roumi Bhattacharya & Debabrata Mazumder

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  1. Roumi Bhattacharya
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  2. Debabrata Mazumder
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Contributions

Both authors have contributed towards the study’s conception and design. Manuscript preparation and experimental data collection were performed by Roumi Bhattacharya under the supervision of Debabrata Mazumder. Data analysis was done by both authors. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Roumi Bhattacharya. Both authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Roumi Bhattacharya.

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Bhattacharya, R., Mazumder, D. Development of a Simplistic Mathematical Model for Simultaneous Nitrification and Denitrification in Moving Bed Bioreactor. Environ Model Assess 28, 635–650 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10666-023-09874-5

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