Abstract

Economically and technically interesting, the bioreactor phenomena are studied on both micro (pore and particle size) and macro (bioreactor) levels, to describe synergetic between bio-dynamics and physicochemical dynamics. Still, the three-phase bioreactors modelling remains complex. It requires taking into account numerous factors: the pollutant biodegradation rate in the biofilm, the reactant interfacial gas-liquid and liquid-solid mass transfer, the biofilm composition and growth, the granular structure and all the transfer phenomena occurring between phases in presence. The aim of this paper is to present a model based on biofilm composition and growth, the fluidized bed structure and its hydrodynamics. The simulation results are compared with our experimental data obtained for a biological treatment, carried out in three-phase fluidized bed reactor for hydrocarbons removal from refinery wastewaters. The equipment used is laboratory scale and the obtained results show that we could degrade hydrocarbons efficiently.

Recommended Citation

Boumehdi Toumi, Leila; Fedailaine, Maamar; and Allia, Khedidja (2008) "Modelling Three-Phase Fluidized Bed Bioreactor for Wastewater Treatment," International Journal of Chemical Reactor Engineering: Vol. 6: A11.
Available at: http://www.bepress.com/ijcre/vol6/A11