Sequential kinetic parameter estimation of anaerobic fluidized bed bioreactor using an optimization technique

Mathematical model parameters for the methanogenic degradation of propylene glycol were estimated in a sequential manner by means of an optimization technique. Model parameters determined from an initial experimental data set using one bioreactor were then verified with the results from a second bioreactor. The proposed methodology is a useful tool to obtain model parameters for continuous flow reactors with completely mixed regime.Abbrevations:S – substrate concentration (mg COD l^–1); S_in – influent substrate concentration (mg COD l^–1); D_L – dilution rate (day^–1); – stoichiometric coefficients (ND); nx – number of microbial species (ND); X_S – fixed biomass concentration (mg biomass l^–1); X_L – suspended biomass concentration of (mg biomass l^–1); k_d – decay rate of biomass (day^–1); b_S – specific detachment rate of biofilm (day^–1); – specific growth rate of biomass (day^–1); _m – maximum specific growth rate of biomass (day^–1); K_S – half saturation constant (mg COD l^–1); K_I – inhibition constant (mg COD l^–1).