Engineering aspects of a mixed methanotrophic culture in a membrane-aerated biofilm reactor
Casey, E.; Rishell, S.; Glennon, B.; Hamer, G.
Water Science and Technology a Journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research 49(11-12): 255-262
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0273-1223 PMID: 15303749 Document Number: 580896
Methanotrophic biodegradation using the membrane-aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) is a technology offering several advantages over both conventional biofilm reactors and suspended-cell processes. In this study the oxidation efficiency of a methanotrophic biofilm in a 1.5 litre MABR was investigated. Measurements of oxygen and methane uptake rates together with biofilm thickness were taken for developing biofilms. It was found that the specific rate of metabolic activity of the biofilm was unusually high as determined by the methane and oxygen uptake rates. Microbial activity stratification was evident and the location of stratified layers of oxygen consuming components of the consortium could be manipulated via the intra-membrane oxygen pressure.