title: Rheological and fractal hydrodynamics of aerobic granules.
abstract: The structural and hydrodynamic features for granules were characterized using settling experiments, predefined mathematical simulations and ImageJ-particle analyses. This study describes the rheological characterization of these biologically immobilized aggregates under non-Newtonian flows. The second order dimensional analysis defined as D2=1.795 for native clusters and D2=1.099 for dewatered clusters and a characteristic three-dimensional fractal dimension of 2.46 depicts that these relatively porous and differentially permeable fractals had a structural configuration in close proximity with that described for a compact sphere formed via cluster-cluster aggregation. The three-dimensional fractal dimension calculated via settling-fractal correlation, U∝l(D) to characterize immobilized granules validates the quantitative measurements used for describing its structural integrity and aggregate complexity. These results suggest that scaling relationships based on fractal geometry are vital for quantifying the effects of different laminar conditions on the aggregates' morphology and characteristics such as density, porosity, and projected surface area.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Biosciences and Medical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Electronic address: janyzrux@gmail.com.
authors.forename: H I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Tijani
authors.affiliation: Palm Oil Research Center, Faculty of Biosciences and Medical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Electronic address: norhayatiabdullah@fbb.utm.my.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Abdullah
authors.affiliation: Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Water Security (IPASA), Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Electronic address: muhdaliyuzir@utm.my.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yuzir
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Education Malaysia, Blok E8, Kompleks E, Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan, 62604 Putrajaya, Malaysia. Electronic address: zainiujang@moe.gov.my.
authors.forename: Zaini
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ujang
mesh_terms: D001420:Bacteria, Aerobic / Q000378:metabolism*; D018441:Biofilms; D018914:Cells, Immobilized / Q000378:metabolism*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005427:Flocculation; D017709:Fractals; D057446:Hydrodynamics; D000073878:Palm Oil; D010938:Plant Oils; D012212:Rheology; D062065:Wastewater / Q000737:chemistry*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000073878:Palm Oil; D010938:Plant Oils; D062065:Wastewater
keywords: Aerobic granulation; Aggregation; Fractal dimension; Palm oil mill effluent; Settling