A Solution of the Convective-Diffusion Equation for Solute Mass Transfer inside a Capillary Membrane Bioreactor. (31st May 2010)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Godongwana, B.; Solomons, D.; Sheldon, M. S.
• Other Names: Merchuk Jose C. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: International journal of chemical engineering. Volume 2010(2010)
• Publication Date: 2010-05-31
• Subjects: Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; Chemical engineering; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 660
• DOI: 10.1155/2010/738482
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1687-806X

Abstract

Abstract : This paper presents an analytical model of substrate mass transfer through the lumen of a membrane bioreactor. The model is a solution of the convective-diffusion equation in two dimensions using a regular perturbation technique. The analysis accounts for radial-convective flow as well as axial diffusion of the substrate specie. The model is applicable to the different modes of operation of membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems (e.g., dead-end, open-shell, or closed-shell mode), as well as the vertical or horizontal orientation. The first-order limit of the Michaelis-Menten equation for substrate consumption was used to test the developed model against available analytical results. The results obtained from the application of this model, along with a biofilm growth kinetic model, will be useful in the derivation of an efficiency expression for enzyme production in an MBR.