Damköhler number design method to avoid clogging of subsurface flow constructed wetlands by heterotrophic biofilms
Austin, D.; Maciolek, D.; Davis, B.; Wallace, S.
Water Science and Technology a Journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research 56(3): 7-14
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 0273-1223 PMID: 17802832 Document Number: 613502
Clogging of subsurface flow (SSF) treatment wetlands from excess biofilm growth is a design problem for which only empirical guidelines exist. A method is proposed to systematically analyse this type of clogging as a design tool. In recognition of the physical reality that most SSF treatment wetland processes are a function of biofilm surface area, a Damkohler number (Da) definition based on aggregate specific surface area is used to investigate a method of predicting clogging induced by heterotrophic biofilms growing on treatment media.