Model description and kinetic parameter analysis of MTBE biodegradation in a packed bed reactor.
A dynamic modeling approach was used to estimate in-situ model parameters, which describe the degradation of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in a laboratory packed bed reactor. The measured dynamic response of MTBE pulses injected at the reactor's inlet was analyzed by least squares and parameter response surface methodologies. Response surfaces were found to be statistically significant and thus suitable for estimating the global minimum as well as the 95% parameter uncertainty regions. The linear parameter uncertainty estimates for the half-saturation constant (K(S)) and the maximum growth rate (micro(max)) were: 0<K(S)<10 mg COD/L and 0.12<micro(max)<0.25 d(-1). Obtaining reliable parameters is a necessary step towards model application in order to study practical reactor operational problems such as the competition between the relatively slow growing MTBE degraders and the oxidizers of other groundwater co-contaminants such as ammonium, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes.
Waul
Christopher
C
Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Bygningstorvet B115, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark. chriswaul@gmail.com
Arvin
Erik
E
Schmidt
Jens Ejbye
JE
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D007700:Kinetics; D008738:Methyl Ethers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D018508:Water Purification
D008738:Methyl Ethers; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; C043243:methyl tert-butyl ether; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate