Heterogeneous Anaerobic Biofilm Reactor Models Application to UASB, EGSB and AFB Reactors

摘要

In a previous work, a methodology developed for modeling anaerobic fluidized bed (AFB) reactors was presented. The aim of this work is to extend this methodology for modeling upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) and expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactors, and compare and discuss model hypotheses and simulation results. A set of experimental data obtained by Kato et al. (2003), during the start-up of a bioreactor operating as UASB and EGSB reactor configurations, is used for model validation. A good agreement was obtained among experimental and predicted values. A simulation-based sensitivity analysis of model parameters such as the specific rate of granule rupture and the axial dispersion coefficient is performed. A decrease in the granule diameter is predicted for values of the specific rate of granule rupture higher than 1x10~(-7) m s~2 kg~_(-1). At low values of the axial dispersion coefficient, a decrease in the bioreactor efficiency is predicted. Simulation results are more sensitive when the bioreactor operates with a UASB configuration.