Chapter 5
Fabrication of Fixed-Bed Hybrid
Bioreactor and Hydraulic Studies
5.1 Reactor Setup
5.1.1 Description of an Aerobic Hybrid Bioreactor Setup
For performance study of the fixed-bed hybrid bioreactor as well as for validation of
the proposed mathematical model, initiative was taken up to fabricate two laboratoryscale fixed-bed hybrid bioreactors. One reactor was used in batch mode of operation
and it consisted of a PVC bucket with aeration facility. Another reactor consisting
of a PVC Jar with aeration facility and a secondary clarifier arrangement was used
in continuous mode of operation.
5.1.1.1 Reactor Setup for Batch Study
A 10 L capacity PVC bucket was used as a laboratory-scale fixed film aerobic hybrid
bioreactor as shown in Fig. 5.1. Perspex sheet of 3 mm thickness was provided
as attachment surface for enhancing the growth of microorganism in biofilm. Nine
equal sized fins made of perspex sheets and having height 275 mm were mounted
centrally with a uniform angular slot of 40 degree. Total fixed and varying area of
the attachment surface is measured to be 0.27 m
2 and 0.132 m
2 , respectively. Two
numbers of Aquarium pump were deployed for supplying air into the reactor.
5.1.1.2 Reactor Setup for Continuous Study
A 15-L capacity PVC jar was adopted as the aeration basin of the reactor. Perspex
sheet (3 mm thickness) was taken as a raw material for fabrication of attachment
surface for the growth of biomass. A frame of nine equal angular slots each of 40
degree and height of 275 mm made of perspex sheets were affixed together along
the longitudinal sides as shown in Figs. 5.1 and 5.2.
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
S. Sarkar, Fixed Bed Hybrid Bioreactor, Green Energy and Technology,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4546-1_5
81
Fabrication of Fixed-Bed Hybrid
Bioreactor and Hydraulic Studies
5.1 Reactor Setup
5.1.1 Description of an Aerobic Hybrid Bioreactor Setup
For performance study of the fixed-bed hybrid bioreactor as well as for validation of
the proposed mathematical model, initiative was taken up to fabricate two laboratoryscale fixed-bed hybrid bioreactors. One reactor was used in batch mode of operation
and it consisted of a PVC bucket with aeration facility. Another reactor consisting
of a PVC Jar with aeration facility and a secondary clarifier arrangement was used
in continuous mode of operation.
5.1.1.1 Reactor Setup for Batch Study
A 10 L capacity PVC bucket was used as a laboratory-scale fixed film aerobic hybrid
bioreactor as shown in Fig. 5.1. Perspex sheet of 3 mm thickness was provided
as attachment surface for enhancing the growth of microorganism in biofilm. Nine
equal sized fins made of perspex sheets and having height 275 mm were mounted
centrally with a uniform angular slot of 40 degree. Total fixed and varying area of
the attachment surface is measured to be 0.27 m
2 and 0.132 m
2 , respectively. Two
numbers of Aquarium pump were deployed for supplying air into the reactor.
5.1.1.2 Reactor Setup for Continuous Study
A 15-L capacity PVC jar was adopted as the aeration basin of the reactor. Perspex
sheet (3 mm thickness) was taken as a raw material for fabrication of attachment
surface for the growth of biomass. A frame of nine equal angular slots each of 40
degree and height of 275 mm made of perspex sheets were affixed together along
the longitudinal sides as shown in Figs. 5.1 and 5.2.
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
S. Sarkar, Fixed Bed Hybrid Bioreactor, Green Energy and Technology,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4546-1_5
81