Modeling hydrodynamic behavior in fixed bed bioreactors under different hydraulic conditions via Retention Time Distribution

Abstract

Abstract. In this study, effects of hydraulic conditions including hydraulic loading rate and hydraulic saturation condition in fixed bed reactor with two different porous media were investigated by retention time distribution analysis. In terms of hydraulic modeling, models of tanks in series, plug flow and their mixed combination were employed to simulate breakthrough curves. Results indicated that number of tanks and dispersion coefficient instead of actual hydraulic volume were comparatively affected by water flow rate in both unsaturated and fully saturated hydraulic conditions. Moreover the latter condition contributed to higher actual hydraulic volume and lower number of tanks, and hydraulic saturation condition impacted the selection of support media as well.