The Relationship Between the Biokinetic Parameters of an Aerobic Granular Sludge System and the Applied Operating Conditions

Biokinetic parameters help to describe the rate of substrate utilization and biomass production or growth by microbial action, which is important to the design process and performance optimization of wastewater treatment. Although studies of the biokinetic parameters of aerobic granular sludge (AGS) systems have been increasing lately, the significance for each value in terms of maximum specific growth rate (μ_max), substrate concentration at one-half of the maximum specific growth rate (K_S), and cell yield (Y) in relation to the applied operating conditions are rarely discussed. Therefore, this study investigates the relationship and significance between the above-stated biokinetic parameters with organic loading rate (OLR) and reactor height/diameter (H/D) ratio from five different batches of AGS treated sewage, using the independent t-test. The biokinetic parameters are summarized as biomass production (<i>Y</i> and <i>μmax</i>) and relied upon the relative increase in the OLR and reactor H/D ratios. Additionally, aerobic granules developed in reactors with a high H/D ratio have a shorter setup time and are more active in contrast with low H/D ratio reactors.