Model-based Interpretation of Titrimetric Data to Estimate Aerobic Carbon Source Degradation Kinetics

Combined respirometric – titrimetric data are presented, resulting from aerobic batch degradation experiments in activated sludge with acetate and dextrose as a substrate. A model including substrate uptake, CO2 production and NH3 uptake for biomass growth is proposed to describe the titrimetric data. Combining respirometric and titrimetric data is more informative compared to the separate data sets, since an extra parameter combination including the biomass yield becomes structurally identifiable. The parameter values estimated on respirometric and titrimetric data proved that titrimetric data are a valuable alternative to respirometry to obtain carbon source biodegradation kinetics, with potential application under anoxic conditions too.