Abrasion of suspended biofilm pellets in airlift reactors: Effect of particle size

Abstract

The detachment of biomass from suspended biofilm pellets in three-phase internal loop airlift reactors was investigated under non-growth conditions, and in the presence of bare carrier particles. In the experiments the size of biofilm pellets and bare carrier particles was varied. Results show that an increase in particle size drastically increases the abrasion rate caused by particle collisions. This increase is larger than predicted by conventional collision theory, which accounts for changes in collision frequency and collision impact. However, collision theory was formulated for neutrally buoyant particles which follow the liquid flow. This condition does not hold for biofilm pellets and carrier particles. The difference might therefore be caused by differences in particle responses to flow fluctuations. An empirical relationship, including this flow response, was formulated. The collision impact is also strongly affected by the roughness of a bare carrier particle: sharp and edgy particles cause much more damage than smoother ones.