Abstract
A dilution-rate shift-up was employed to induce bacterial hold-up in a continuous-flow gas-lift reactor. A minimum carrier concentration (sand, 2–5 g/l) was found a prerequisite for formation of bacterial aggregates, which fermented glucose either to propionate/acetate or to butyrate/acetate. Higher levels of sand did not affect the onset of propionate/acetate-forming aggregates, but decreased the rate at which they subsequently grew. Reversely, butyrate/acetate-producing aggregates grew at a constant rate but the onset of their formation was progressively retarded by increasing sand concentrations. In both cases, completion of start-up was most rapid at low sand concentrations.
Published Version
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