Simulation of biodegradation process of phenolic wastewater at higher concentrations in a fluidized-bed bioreactor

Biokinetic parameters for the growth of the cells were determined in batch experiments and they were found to be μmax = 1.436 × 10−4 s−1, Ks = 21.92 × 10−3 kg/m3, Ki = 522 × 10−3 kg/m3. Model equations describing the simultaneous diffusion and reaction of phenol and oxygen in the biofilm of the solid particles, were solved using the orthogonal collocation technique to calculate the rate of biodegradation of phenol. The rate of biodegradation predicted by the model was compared with that observed experimentally and the difference between the two was found to be about 12%.