Biomass loss from an anaerobic fluidized bed reactor

The phenomena of biomass loss during reactor startup and steady-state operation of an anaerobic fluidized bed (AFB) reactor using porous media particles and fed with acetic acid are studied. The amount of biomass lost during reactor startup is found to be correlated to both substrate utilization and biogas production. However, the level of biomass lost does not impede reactor startup and a rapid buildup of attached biomass in the reactor is attainable. Under the fluidization conditions commonly found in steady-state AFB reactors, mechanical attrition caused by interparticle collision is unlikely to alter the balance established between bacterial growth and maintenance metabolism.