title: Multidimensional modelling of anaerobic granules.
abstract: A multispecies, two- and three-dimensional model was developed, based on a previously published planar biofilm model, and the biochemical structure of the ADM1. Several soluble substrates diffuse and react in the granule. Local pH is calculated from acid-base equilibria and charge balance. The model uses individual-based representation of biomass particles within the granule (biofilm), and describes spreading by an iterative pushing technique. The overall computational domain consists of one granule, and is divided into a grid with Cartesian coordinates. The number of grid elements does not limit the number of biomass particles, and it is not necessary to use grid-spreading techniques, such as cellular automata, which result in Cartesian artefacts. The model represents both microscopic and macroscopic features in granule structure, previously observed using in-situ molecular techniques, and can be effectively used to interpret these results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, 2628 Delft, The Netherlands. c.picioreanu@tnw.tudelft.nl
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Picioreanu
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Batstone
authors.forename: M C M
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: van Loosdrecht
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000378:metabolism; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000502:physiology*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D018533:Biomass; D002087:Butyrates / Q000378:metabolism; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008954:Models, Biological; D011422:Propionates / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D002087:Butyrates; D011422:Propionates; D006859:Hydrogen