Rule of Thumb Modelling of Biofilm Reactors

Biofilm reactors are very complex systems, the modelling of which requires sophisticated kinetic relationships concerning the highest number of species in reaction and computer simulation. In fact, the process engineer needs a rule of thumb method able to predict the output variables after modification of the operational variables. Such a “simplissime” model is derived by considering a plate reactor coated with a biofilm through which the substrates are diffusion transported and eliminated with a zero order intrinsic reaction. When the liquid-biofilm resistance is neglected, conversion depends on one parameter only, the meaning of which can be displayed. Moreover, in many cases, the flow pattern influence can be neglected. This “simplissime” model was shown accurate enough in fitting various experimental data and it can even be used as a design tool.