Effect of fasting condition on multi-substrate carbon oxidation and nitrification system in an upflow packed-bed biofilm reactor

The performance of an upflow packed-bed biofilm reactor has been analyzed under multisubstrate limitation by considering simultaneous carbon oxidation and nitrification reactions. The fasting shock load of inlet methanol concentration has a much more pronounced effect on the response of the system compared to that of inlet NH4+-nitrogen concentration. The exit concentration of NH4+-nitrogen drops very close to zero, thereby showing essentially complete nitrification during methanol fasting condition. Further, the concentration profiles of oxygen within the biofilm show significant variation during methanol fasting and nonfasting conditions whereas during NH4+-nitrogen fasting conditions the oxygen concentration profile in the biofilm remains essentially unaffected.