Biochemical reactor growth rate

Flow dynamics predict that flow through a pipe is nonuniform with regard to velocity across the diameter of a pipe, for instance. The flow at pipe walls is assumed to be zero. In our idealized biochemical reactor, this concept is represented by a boundary layer in contact with the biofilm. It does not have, of course, a discrete dimension. Rather, it is represented as an area in the structure that has reduced flow and therefore different kinetics than what we would assume exist in a bulk liquid. The boundary layer is affected by turbulence and temperature and this is unavoidable to a degree. Diffusion within the boundary layers is controlled by the chemical potential difference based on concennation. Thus the rate of transfer of pollutant to the organisms is controlled by at least two physical chemical principles, and these principles differentiate an attached growth bioreactor from a suspended growth bioreactor. 

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