A multiscale approach for studying an anaerobic multiphase bioreactor

J.B. Zhang (1) , S. Poncin (1) , J. Wu (2) , H.-Z. Li (1)

1 LRGP - Laboratoire Réactions et Génie des Procédés
2 State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control

This work aims at developing an original micro- to mesoscale approach to investigate various phenomena at different scales within a multiphase bioreactor and then to intensify its performance. The interactions between granular sludge particles as well as the biogas production efficiency in a 2D pilot at mesoscale were studied under various hydrodynamic conditions. A particle image velocimetry (PIV) system and a high-speed camera were employed to quantify the liquid flow fields and relative motion between sludge particles and biogas bubbles. Then, a single granular sludge particle of various sizes was used in a 2D device at microscale for studying quantitatively the dynamical behaviour of the complex anaerobic reactions under different hydrodynamic conditions. The image analysis techniques offer an opportunity to observe and quantify the nucleation and growth of biogas bubble at microscale on the sludge granule. In addition, the liquid flow fields were measured by a micro-PIV and the flow conditions were perfectly controlled in the microdevice. Finally, the role of hydrodynamic conditions on the biogas production efficiency at both micro-and mesoscale is discussed from these results.

Mots clés: Anaerobic multiphase reactor; Multiscale approach; Biogas bubbles; Granular sludge particles; Flow fields; PIV and micro-PIV

Domaines: Génie des procédés

J.B. Zhang, S. Poncin, J. Wu, H.-Z. Li. A multiscale approach for studying an anaerobic multiphase bioreactor. Chemical Engineering Science, 2011, 66 ((14)), pp. 3423-3431. ⟨10.1016/j.ces.2011.01.021⟩. ⟨hal-00604363⟩