title: The Freter model: a simple model of biofilm formation.
abstract: A simple, conceptual model of biofilm formation, due to R. Freter et al. (1983), is studied analytically and numerically in both CSTR and PFR. Two steady state regimes are identified, namely, the complete washout of the microbes from the reactor and the successful colonization of both the wall and bulk fluid. One of these is stable for any particular set of parameter values and sharp and explicit conditions are given for the stability of each. The effects of adding an anti-microbial agent to the CSTR are examined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1804, USA.
authors.forename: Don
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Hristo V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Kojouharov
authors.forename: Dung
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Le
authors.forename: Hal
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D018533:Biomass; D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003198:Computer Simulation; D007700:Kinetics; D008954:Models, Biological; D013499:Surface Properties