Parameter estimation for biofilm processes in biological water treatment

This paper provides a technique for estimating kinetic parameters (k, Ks and Smin) and average diffusivity (D) of Assimilable Organic Carbon (AOC) for biofilm processes used in water treatment. A bench scale column containing glass beads operated in the recycle mode was used as a steady-state bioreactor and fed either synthetic or ozonated natural water. The error-in-variables algorithm was employed for parameter estimation. The jackknife technique was used to obtain confidence intervals for the parameters. The estimates for k, Smin and D were in the expected range of values. Estimated Ks values were higher than expected, but tended to support parameter estimates obtained from a previous pilot scale study.