COMPARISON OF MEK UTILIZATION AND GROWTH KINETICS BETWEEN BATCH AND FIXED-FILM PROCESSES 189 Comparison of MEK utilization and growth kinetics between batch and fixed-film processes

ABSTACT. A methodology is described for measurement of immobilized and suspended cell growth and substrate utilization kinetic parameters. Substrate utilization and growth kinetics were compared between immobilized and suspended cells for a bacterial consortium acclimatized to methyl ethyl ketone. Biofilm specific growth rate was estimated based on a zero-order consumption assumption to determine the effect of immobilization on cellular growth. The effective diffusivity and depth of penetration of MEK in the biofilm was estimated to assess the effect of internal diffusion resistances within the biofilm. Finally, theoretical maximum O2 requirements were calculated based on cellular substrate oxidation and experimentally determined MEK utilization rates for suspension and fixed-film cells.