Variable-Order Model of Bacterial-Film Kinetics

A variable-order model provides a closely approximate, explicit solution for the flux of a limiting substrate into a “deep” fixed bacterial film. The model incorporates concepts of liquid-layer mass transport, Monod kinetics, and molecular diffusion. The derived equation provides an explicit solution for the flux into a bacterial film, and for this reason, it should aid in the application of fundamental, fixed-film kinetics to practical reactor problems. Examples are given to illustrate use of the model.