Modelling particle degradation and intermediate dynamics in a dispersed activated sludge microcosm

Municipal wastewater consists of a large fraction particulate organic matter. During biological treatment these particles undergo extracellular depolymerisation before products are taken up by bacteria (MW < 0.6 kDa). Particle degradation and intermediate formation dynamics is important in process analysis as the transport regime differ. This work aims to develop model for particle that includes observed experimental work. A including dynamics, bacterial growth endogenous respiration proposed. hydrolysis was modelled using breakup model. Depolymerisation were separated into five different size groups: colloids; high, medium low molecular weight (HMW, MMW LMW) polymers; one oligomers monomers (SB). colloids, HMW polymers first order kinetics. LMW polymer Michaelis-Menten kinetics, while based on traditional Monod kinetics followed ASM3. The proposed implemented AQUASIM batch reactor system, parameter estimation LSE fitting data starch over 117 days dispersed biomass microcosm performed. Validation against gave very good fit PBM. seen also qualitatively demonstrated model, with accumulation HMW, bulk liquid. However, liquid could not be reproduced suspended Hence, structured (biofilm) suggested future