title: Prediction of a membrane-coupled anaerobic VFA fermenter efficiency using an empirical model.
abstract: An empirical model based on some statistical analysis for predicting produced volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration was developed to establish reliable design conditions of a membrane-coupled anaerobic VFA fermenter (MCAVF) and assess its performance with influent organics concentration (Ci), membrane filtration ratio (phi) and hydraulic loading rate (HLR). The empirical model followed the same trend as the experimental data, which showed the effectiveness of the model. The relationship involving these three independent variables explained more than 90% of the variation in the dependent variable. A model explains that the produced VFA concentration is more sensitive to changes in influent organics concentration (Ci) and membrane filtration ratio (phi) than hydraulic loading rate (HLR). This empirical model can predict the optimum values of operation parameters on many scenarios. Due to its simplicity, the empirical model can be used to design and operate a membrane-coupled anaerobic VFAs fermenter.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Yoshida Honmachi, Japan.
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Somiya
mesh_terms: D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic; D019149:Bioreactors; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005285:Fermentation; D006801:Humans; D008566:Membranes; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012722:Sewage
chemical_list: D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D012722:Sewage