COMPUTATIONAL APPROACH TO ANAEROBIC DIGESTION

Abstract

Anaerobic process Is very sensitive to various parameters such as pH, alkalinity, acidity, toxicants etc. Driven by the urge of its performance prediction under different loading parameters, there is a need for better understanding of bio-chemical reaction kinetics. Since, the kinetics of complex waste is not well understood till today, a relatively easily biodegradable substrate, glucose is considered to develop a mathematical model for batch fed reactor. Model gives a good comparison of computed values with experimentally observed valve. Keeping in view, the difficulty in understanding of complex waste reaction kinetics, intermediate steps are omitted and final result are used to develop a empirical formulation for different controlling parameters. The formulation computes the rate of bio-gas production which is directly related to COD assimilation rate. Computed values are in good agreement with experimental values.