Kinetics of a Continuous-Flow No-Mix Anaerobic Reactor

Abstract

Abstract A mathematical model describing the kinetics of continuous-flow no-mix reactor has been developed from the basic principles of mass balance. The model takes into consideration the effect of settling and endogenous microbial decay on biogas production and effluent quality. The model has been tested using actual data obtained from the system when operating on dairy manure. The model shows considerable promise for serving as a basis for the design of continuous-flow no-mix anaerobic reactors. It predicted the effluent solid concentration, system removal efficiency, methane yield, and volumetric methane productivity with R2 ranging from.83 to.97. The estimated solid retention time (cell residence time) varied from 8.07 to 61.54 days, depending on the hydraulic retention time and temperature used.