Biofilms in Wastewater Treatment

S. Wuertz; P. L. Bishop; P. A. Wilderer

BOOK

Biofilms in Wastewater Treatment

S. Wuertz | P. L. Bishop | P. A. Wilderer

(2003)

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Book Details

ISBN: 978-1-78040-274-1
Edition: 1
Language: English
Pages: 417
Subjects: The environment
Environmental science, engineering & technology
Water supply & treatment

Abstract

The central theme of the book is the flow of information from experimental approaches in biofilm research to simulation and modeling of complex wastewater systems. Probably the greatest challenge in wastewater research lies in using the methods and the results obtained in one scientific discipline to design intelligent experiments in other disciplines, and eventually to improve the knowledge base the practitioner needs to run wastewater treatment plants. The purpose of Biofilms in Wastewater Treatment is to provide engineers with the knowledge needed to apply the new insights gained by researchers. The authors provide an authoritative insight into the function of biofilms on a technical and on a lab-scale, cover some of the exciting new basic microbiological and wastewater engineering research involving molecular biology techniques and microscopy, and discuss recent attempts to predict the development of biofilms. This book is divided into 3 sections: Modeling and Simulation; Architecture, Population Structure and Function; and From Fundamentals to Practical Application, which all start with a scientific question. Individual chapters attempt to answer the question and present different angles of looking at problems. In addition there is an extensive glossary to familiarize the non-expert with unfamiliar terminology used by microbiologists and computational scientists. The colour plate section of this book can be downloaded by clicking here. (PDF Format 1 MB)

Section Title	Page	Action	Price
Contents	4
Preface	9
Contributors	12
Modeling and simulation: Introduction	18
References	21
1.0 What do biofilm models, mechanical ducks and artificial life have in common?	23
1.1 MATHEMATICS AND BIOLOGY: HOW DO THEY GO TOGETHER?	24
1.2 WHAT ACTUALLY ARE MATHEMATICAL MODELS AND WHAT IS MATHEMATICAL MODELING?	25
1.3 HOW MATHEMATICAL MODELS CAN BE USED TO STUDY COMPLICATED BIOFILM ARCHITECTURES	31
1.4 BEYOND MATHEMATICAL MODELS: REDUCTIONISM AND HOLISM, PHYSICALISM AND VITALISM AS PHILOSOPHICAL CONCEPTS IN THEORETICAL BI	35
1.5 INTERDISCIPLINARITY: WHY IT IS DIFFICULT TO COMMUNICATE WITH MATHEMATICIANS	40
1.6 CONCLUSION	43
1.7 REFERENCES	43
2.0 Biofilm architecture: interplay of models and experiments	47
2.1 TOOLS FOR BIOFILM STUDIES	47
2.2 EARLY OBSERVATION AND MODELS	49
2.3 STANDARD DIFFUSION-REACTION MODEL	51
2.3.1 Mathematical formulation	51
2.3.2 Standard model validation	52
2.4 NEW EXPERIMENTAL TECHNIQUES	52
2.5 CHALLENGES IN MODELING	53
2.5.1 Characterization of morphology	53
2.5.2 Description of microbial communities	54
2.6 MODELING OF STRUCTURAL HETEROGENEITY	56
2.6.1 Discrete models	56
2.7 CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS	58
2.8 REFERENCES	60
3.0 Towards new mathematical models for biofilms	64
3.1 INTRODUCTION	64
3.2 STRATEGIES OF MATHEMATICAL MODELING	65
3.3 EXAMPLES OF MATHEMATICAL MODELS	67
3.3.1 Physical approach	67
3.3.2 Introducing randomness	68
3.3.3 Models from system theory	68
3.3.4 Compound models	68
3.4 ESTABLISHED BIOFILM MODELS	69
3.5 MODELS FROM MATHEMATICAL BIOLOGY	70
3.6 IDEAS FOR STOCHASTIC MODELS	71
3.7 CONCLUDING REMARKS	73
3.8 REFERENCES	73
4.0 Beyond models: requirements and chances of computational biofilms	75
4.1\tINTRODUCTION: SIMULATING BIOFILM SYSTEMS	75
Mathematical modeling	78
Numerical treatment	78
Implementation	78
Embedding	78
Visualization	79
Validation	79
4.2\tMATHEMATICAL MODELS	79
4.3\tNUMERICAL METHODS	84
4.3.1\tDiscretization of the domain	84
4.3.2\tDiscretization of the equations	87
4.3.3\tSolving the discrete equations	91
4.4\tIMPLEMENTATION	93
4.5\tEMBEDDING	95
4.6\tVISUALIZATION: HOT AIR OR CATALYST?	96
4.7\tVALIDATION	98
4.8\tCONCLUDING REMARKS	99
4.9\tREFERENCES	100
5.0 On the influence of fluid flow in a packed-bed biofilm reactor	103
5.1 Introduction	103
5.1.1 Basic questions and considerations	105
5.1.2 Conclusions from the \"state-of -the-art	106
5.2 SOME COMMENTS ON SPECIFIC TOPICS	112
5.2.1 Elephant versus microorganism: the different scales to simulate	112
5.2.2 On fields, layers, flow regimes, pressure gradients, and their importance in packed-bed biofilm reactors	113
5.3 CURRENT INVESTIGATIONS	116
5.3.1 Numerical method	116
5.3.2 A comparison between laboratory and pilot reactor or the scale up problem	118
5.4 INFLUENCE OF FLUID FLOW AND SUBSTRATE CONCENTRATION ON BIOFILM ARCHITECTURE	125
5.5 CONCLUSIONS AND OUTLOOK	126
5.6 REFERNCES	129
6.0 The effect of biofilm heterogeneity on metabolic processes	138
6.1 Introduction	138
6.2 BIOFILM PROPERTIES	139
6.2.1 Heterogeneity	139
6.2.2 Extracellular polymeric substances	142
6.2.3 Diffusivity	143
6.2.4 Detachment	149
6.3 CONFOCAL LASER SCANNING MICROSCOPY	151
6.4 CELL-TO-CELL COMMUNICATION	152
6.5 MOLECULAR PROBES	152
6.6 CONCLUDING REMARKS	154
6.7 REFERENCES	155
7.0 Mass transport in heterogeneous biofilms	162
7.1 INTRODUCTION	162
7.2 BIOFILM HETEROGENEITY AND BIOFILM MODELS	165
7.3 QUANTIFYING NUTRIENT UPTAKE KINETICS FROM THE NUTRIENT CONCENTRATION PROFILES	168
7.4 QUANTIFYING MASS TRANSPORT MECHANISMS FROM FLOW VELOCITY PROFILES IN BIOFILMS	171
7.5 LOCAL MASS TRANSPORT RATES IN HETEROGENEOUS BIOFILMS	174
7.6 THE CONCEPT OF BIOFILMS COMPOSED OF DISCRETE LAYERS	177
7.7 MODELING MASS TRANSPORT AND ACTIVITY IN BIOFILMS COMPOSED OF DISCRETE LAYERS	181
7.8 EXPERIMENTAL VALIDATION OF THE MODEL OF BIOFILMS COMPOSED OF DISCRETE LAYERS	184
7.9 CAN DISCRETIZING BIOFILMS REFLECT THE EFFECT OF BIOFILM HETEROGENEITY?	184
7.10 BIOFILMS GROWN AT HIGH FLOW VELOCITIES	186
7.11 CONCLUDING REMARKS	187
7.12 REFERENCES	190
8.0 The crucial role of extracellular polymeric substances in biofilms	193
8.1 INTRODUCTION	193
8.2 DEFINITION OF EPS	194
8.3 COMPOSITION AND PROPERTIES OF EPS	197
8.4 MECHANICAL STABILITY MEDIATED BY EPS	202
8.5 ROLE OF EPS IN MICROBIAL AGGREGATION	203
8.6 FUNCTIONS OF EPS	209
8.7 TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF EPS	212
8.7.1 Settleability	212
8.7.2 Foam formation	213
8.7.3 Dewaterability	213
8.7.4 Sorption of organic and inorganic molecules	214
8.7.5 Diffusion	215
8.7.6 Formation of a gel layer on surfaces	215
8.8 ECOLOGICAL ASPECTS	215
8.9 OUTLOOK	217
8.10 REFERENCES	218
9.0 The importance of physicochemical properties in biofilm formation and activity	226
9.1 INTRODUCTION	226
9.2 HOW ADHESION HAS BEEN PREDICTED	227
9.2.1 Thermodynamic approach	227
9.2.2 DLVO theory	229
9.2.3 XDLVO theory	232
9.3 SURFACE PROPERTIES RELEVANT FOR ADHESION	233
9.3.1 Hydrophobicity	233
9.3.2 Surface charge and cation bridging	238
9.3.3 Surface roughness and porosity	241
9.4 CONCLUDING REMARKS	243
9.5 REFERENCES	243
10.0 influence of population structure on the performance of biofilm reactors	247
10.1 INTRODUCTION	247
10.2 INVESTIGATION OF THE BIOTIC STRUCTURE OF BIOFILMS: SURVEY OF METHODS	249
10.2.1 Methods for the investigation of the microbial composition of biofilm communities	249
10.2.2 Utilization of protozoa and metazoa as indicators of the ecological conditions in and around biofilms	252
10.2.3 Microscopic techniques for the examination of biofilm architecture	253
10.3 CASE STUDIES	255
10.3.1 Membrane-grown bio lms for the treatment of wastewater containing xenobiotics	255
10.3.1.1 Results of microbiological examination	258
10.3.1.2 Protozoan and metazoan communities of the bio lms	263
10.3.2 Nitrifying bio lms in a fluidized bed reactor	267
10.3.2.1 Microbial composition of the bio lms	267
10.3.2.2 Properties of the carrying material and the bio lm	271
10.4 CONCLUDING REMARKS	273
10.5 REFERENCES	274
11.0 Detatchment: an often-overlooked phenomenon in biofilm research and modelling	279
11.1 INTRODUCTION	279
11.2 DETATCHMENT MECHANISMS	280
11.2.1 Categories	280
11.2.2 Experimental determination	282
11.2.3 Mathematical description	283
11.2.4 Location of detachment	286
11.2.5 Residence time distribution	289
11.2.6 Summary	291
11.3 INFLUENCE OF DETACHMENT ON COMPETITION IN BIOFILMS AND ON OVERALL PROCESS PERFORMANCE	291
11.3.1 Competition between fast- and slow-growing bacteria	292
11.3.1.1 Influence on overall mass bacterial species	292
11.3.1.2 Influence on system performance	293
11.3.1.3 Local cell residence time distribution	294
11.3.1.4 Summary	295
11.3.2 Detachment as a relevant part of the process	297
11.3.2.1 Short local residence times are bene cial	298
11.3.2.2 Loss of active biomass	300
11.3.2.3 Summary	300
11.4 CONCLUDING REMARKS	301
11.5 REFERENCES	303
12.0 Deduction and induction in design and operation of biofilm reactors	314
12.1 INTRODUCTION	314
12.2 \tTECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT	315
12.2.1\t\tBasic principles	315
12.2.2\t\tDemands on performance	316
12.3 PRAGMATISM VERSUS THEORY-BASED MODELS	317
12.3.1 Engineering craftsmanship	317
12.3.2 Science-based determinism	320
12.4\tMODELS OF BIOFILM REACTORS	321
12.4.1\tModel structure, variables, parameters and forcing input	321
12.4.1.1\tModel structure	321
12.4.1.2\tModels state variables	321
12.4.1.3\tModel parameters	321
12.4.1.4\tForcing input	321
12.4.2\t\tModel applications	322
12.4.2.1\tPlanning tool	322
12.4.2.2\tAnalysis of existing plants	322
12.4.2.3\tDesign of new plants	322
12.4.2.4\tReal-time control of plant	323
12.4.2.5\tModels as research tools	323
12.4.3\t\tLevel of aggregation	323
12.5\tMODEL CALIBRATION AND PARAMETER ESTIMATION	324
12.5.1\t\tModel structure	324
12.5.2\t\tParameter calibration, veri?cation, and estimation	325
12.5.2.1\tCalibration	325
12.5.2.2 Veri?cation	326
12.5.3\t\tParameter estimation	327
12.5.4\t\tExperimental design	327
12.5.5\t\tModel uncertainty	328
12.5.5.1\tSensitivity analysis	329
12.5.5.2\tUncertainty analysis	329
12.6\tTREATMENT PLANT DESIGN	329
12.6.1\t\tIdenti?cation of problem	329
12.6.2\t\tModel for bio?lm system	330
12.6.3\t\tPilot plant investigations	332
12.7\tANALYSIS OF EXISTING PLANT / PILOT PLANT	334
12.7.1 Identi?cation of the problem	334
12.7.2\t\tDesign of experimental program	334
12.8\tOUTSTANDING ISSUES OF ENGINEERING SIGNIFICANCE	335
12.8.1\t\tKey phenomena not fully understood	335
12.8.1.1\tBiomass	335
12.8.1.2\tPopulation dynamics	335
12.8.1.3\tParticulate organic matter	336
12.8.1.4\tUnidenti?ed reactions in bio?lms	336
12.8.1.5\tDiffusivity into bio?lms	336
12.8.1.6\tBiomass control	337
12.8.2\t\tResearch needs and engineering development	337
12.9\tReferences	338
13.0 Effect of clay particles on biofilm composition and reactor efficiency	340
13.1 INTRODUCTION	340
13.2 PROPERTIES OF CLAY PARTICLES	341
13.3 MICROORGANISMS IN SOILS AND IN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS: INTERACTIONS WITH CLAYS	344
13.4 MICROHABITATS CREATED BY CLAY PARTICLES	346
13.5 GENETIC EXCHANGE	347
13.6 EFFECT OF PARTICLES ON THE TOXICITY OF BIOCIDES	348
13.7 EFFECTS OF PARTICLES ON BIOFILM PHYSICAL PROPERTIES	351
13.8 CLAY PARTICLES IN WASTEWATER TREATMENT BIOREACTORS	352
13.9 SUMMARY AND FUTURE RESEARCH	353
13.10 REFERENCES	355
14.0 Bioprocess engineering and microbiologists: a profit-sharing alliance	358
14.1 POSTULATE	358
14.2 ANALYSIS OF THE CURRENT STATE OF BIOTECHNOLOGY	360
14.3 CHANCES AND REQUIREMENTS	365
14.4 CONCLUDING REMARKS	369
14.5 REFERENCES	370
APPENDIX: BIOGRAPHY OF MICROBIAL SAMPLES	372
From fundamentals to practical applications: Conclusions	389
Glossary	392
Index	406

Biofilms in Wastewater Treatment

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