(412d) HYDRODYNAMICS and OPTIMIZATION STUDIES IN AN Inverse Fluidized BED Bioreactor for Tannery Wastewater TREATMENT

In this work, the hydrodynamic characteristics and optimum conditions for the treatment of tannery wastewater in an inverse fluidized bed bioreactor were studied. Low-density particles made of polypropylene of density 870 kg/m³ were used in this study. The behavior of air hold up and minimum fluidization velocity were studied for various bed heights and biomass grown on the particles. Experiments were carried out to find the optimum bed height and air flow rate for the maximum degradation of tannery wastewater. From the result it was observed that the air hold up increases with increase in air velocity and decreases after it reaches the critical velocity. Air hold up also increases with increase in bed height and decreases. The minimum fluidization air velocity increases with increase in bed height and decreases with increase in biomass weight. The maximum COD removal of 88.3% was achieved in this reactor at a bed height of 80 cm and for the air flow rate of 64.4 cc/s