Analysis of biological wastewater treatment processes using multicomponent gas phase mass balancing

  1. Daniel Gapes,
  2. Jurg Keller*

Article first published online: 8 NOV 2001

DOI: 10.1002/bit.10097

Issue

Biotechnology and Bioengineering

Biotechnology and Bioengineering

Volume 76, Issue 4, pages 361–375, December 2001

Additional Information

How to Cite

Gapes, D. and Keller, J. (2001), Analysis of biological wastewater treatment processes using multicomponent gas phase mass balancing. Biotechnol. Bioeng., 76: 361–375. doi: 10.1002/bit.10097

Author Information

  1. Advanced Wastewater Management Centre, University of Queensland, QLD 4072, Australia; telephone: 61 (1) 7 3365 4727; fax: 61 (1) 7 3365 4726

*Advanced Wastewater Management Centre, University of Queensland, QLD 4072, Australia; telephone: 61 (1) 7 3365 4727; fax: 61 (1) 7 3365 4726

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 8 NOV 2001
  2. Article first published online: 8 NOV 2001
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 14 AUG 2001
  4. Manuscript Received: 5 FEB 2001

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Keywords:

  • mass spectrometry;
  • off-gas analysis;
  • respirometry;
  • turbulence;
  • oxygen uptake rate;
  • wastewater treatment

Abstract

A reactor system using off-gas analysis was developed for analyzing wastewater treatment process reactions. Using a mass spectrometer for the gas analysis provides the ability to simultaneously measure several gas components (such as oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and argon). One of the benefits of the reactor design was the precise control of the dissolved oxygen concentration, uncoupled from the system turbulence, which was controlled via a gas recycle loop. This feature allowed control of the turbulence within the reactor without any need for mechanical stirring. Using oxygen as the test gas, the reactor was shown to perform well in the measurement of oxygen uptake rate of nitrifying activated sludge. The oxygen uptake rate calculations were made using a simple calibration method developed for the reactor system. The reactor was able to provide precise and accurate results for this test case. Furthermore, the system was capable of measuring under dynamic process conditions, as well as when the process rates were constant (steady state). © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 76: 361–375, 2001.

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