Estimation of the intrinsic maximum substrate utilization rate using batch reactors with denitrifying biofilm: A proposed methodology

A method for estimation of the maximum substrate utilization rate (q _max) using batch reactors with denitrification biofilm was introduced and compared with the traditional method of using batch reactors with suspended growth for q_max estimation. The values of q_max obtained from the suspended-growth reactors (0.69 to 0.71 g N/g volatile suspended solids [VSS]·d) and from the attached-biomass reactors (0.74 to 0.85 g N/g VSS·d) are similar and within the range of the values reported in the literature (0.23 to 2.88 g N/g VSS·d). Therefore, the intrinsic kinetic parameter, q_max, can be obtained using attached-growth batch reactors, if the effectiveness factor, η, is approximately equal to 1 and the bulk concentration of the rate-limiting substrate, C, is much higher than the half-velocity constant, K_s. The attached-growth batch reactor method is unique, because the biomass used in the batch tests is the same as that present in the parent reactor under investigation.