- Document Number:
20140262984
- Appl. No:
14/188631
- Application Filed:
February 24, 2014
- Abstract:
A method of assessing biofilm thickness in a membrane supported biofilm reactor (MSBR) of the type comprising a lumen containing a gas phase, a liquid phase, and a gas permeable membrane providing an interface between the gas and liquid phases, the method comprising the steps of charging the lumen with an inert gas, closing the lumen to establish an initial elevated pressure in the lumen, measuring the rate of change of pressure within the lumen, and correlating the rate of change of pressure (dP/dt) with biofilm thickness. The step of correlating dP/dt with biofilm thickness involves correlating dP/dt with the rate of diffusion of the inert gas (dn/dt), correlating dn/dt with an overall mass transfer coefficient (K), correlating K with the mass transfer coefficient of the biofilm (ICB), and correlating kβ with the biofilm thickness. Also described is a membrane supported biofilm re-actor (MSBR) of the type comprising a gas permeable membrane providing an interface between a lumen containing a gas phase, and a liquid phase, characterised in that the MSBR comprises means for flushing the lumen with an inert gas, means for closing and re-opening the lumen, and means for detecting intra-membrane pressure within the lumen. The means for detecting intra-membrane pressure is provided by a pressure transducer.
- Assignees:
University College Dublin, National University of Ireland, Dublin (Dublin, IE)
- Claim:
1. A membrane supported biofilm reactor (MSBR) of the type comprising a gas permeable membrane providing an interface between a lumen containing a gas phase, and a liquid phase, characterised in that the MSBR comprises means for flushing the lumen with an inert gas, means for closing and re-opening the lumen, means for detecting intra-membrane pressure within the lumen, and processing means adapted to correlate intramembrane pressure changes with biofilm thickness.
- Claim:
2. A MSBR as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for detecting intra-membrane pressure is provided by a pressure transducer.
- Claim:
3. A MSBR as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gas permeable membrane is in the form of a hollow fibre in which the gas phase is located within the lumen of the fibre.
- Claim:
4. A MSBR as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing means is adapted to: receive pressure readings from the pressure detection means; calculate a dP/dt value; and correlate the dP/dt value with a biofilm thickness value.
- Claim:
5. A MSBR as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing means is adapted to: receive pressure readings from the pressure detection means; calculate a dP/dt value; correlate the dP/dt value with a biofilm thickness value; compares the biofilm thickness value with a pre-set thickness threshold value; and actuate a cleaning procedure when the biofilm thickness value is above the pre-set thickness threshold value.
- Claim:
6. A MSBR as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing means is adapted to: receive pressure readings from the pressure detection means; calculate a dP/dt value; correlate the dP/dt value with a biofilm thickness value; compares the biofilm thickness value with a pre-set thickness threshold value; and when the biofilm thickness value is above the pre-set thickness threshold value, provide an indication that a cleaning procedure is required.
- Claim:
7. A MSBR as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a membrane cleaning apparatus and in which the membrane cleaning apparatus is operatively connected to the processor such that the cleaning apparatus is actuated when the processor detects that the biofilm thickness value is above the pre-set thickness threshold value.
- Claim:
8. A computer implemented system for assessing biofilm thickness in a membrane supported biofilm reactor (MSBR) of the type comprising a lumen containing a gas phase, a liquid phase, and a gas permeable membrane providing an interface between the gas and liquid phases, the system comprising: means for charging the lumen with an inert gas; means for closing the lumen to establish an initial elevated pressure in the lumen; means for measuring the rate of change of pressure within the lumen; and means for correlating the rate of change of pressure (dP/dt) with biofilm thickness.
- Claim:
9. A computer implemented system as claimed in claim 8, further comprising: means for correlating dP/dt with the rate of diffusion of the inert gas (dn/dt); means for correlating dn/dt with an overall mass transfer coefficient (K); means for correlating K with the mass transfer coefficient of the biofilm (kB); and means for correlating kB with the biofilm thickness.
- Claim:
10. A computer implemented system as claimed in claim 8, further comprising means for actuating a biofilm cleaning procedure when the measured biofilm thickness exceeds a biofilm threshold value.
- Current U.S. Class:
210/86
- Current International Class:
02
- Accession Number:
edspap.20140262984
Processing Request
No Comments.