An optimal operating strategy for fixed-bed bioreactors used in wastewater treatment

C Benthack; B Srinivasan; D Bonvin

doi:10.1002/1097-0290(20010105)72:1<34::aid-bit5>3.0.co;2-i

An optimal operating strategy for fixed-bed bioreactors used in wastewater treatment

Biotechnol Bioeng. 2001 Jan 5;72(1):34-40. doi: 10.1002/1097-0290(20010105)72:1<34::aid-bit5>3.0.co;2-i.

Authors

C Benthack¹, B Srinivasan, D Bonvin

Affiliation

¹ Institut d'Automatique, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland. christina.benthack@basf-ag.de

PMID: 11084591
DOI: 10.1002/1097-0290(20010105)72:1<34::aid-bit5>3.0.co;2-i

Abstract

Optimization of a fixed-bed bioreactor used in wastewater treatment is addressed. The objective of optimization is to maximize the treatment efficiency of the biofilter by manipulating the feed flow rate while satisfying operational constraints. Numerical results indicate that the optimal input is characterized as being on the boundary of the admissible region. Thus, the characterized optimal solution is implemented using a simple feedback control law, which provides the optimal input profile despite variations in substrate inlet concentration and biomass growth rate.

MeSH terms

Biomass*
Bioreactors*
Equipment Design
Models, Theoretical
Waste Disposal, Fluid / instrumentation*
Waste Disposal, Fluid / methods*