Biological reaction processes

摘要

PCT No. PCT/AU92/00102 Sec. 371 Date Aug. 8, 1994 Sec. 102(e) Date Aug. 8, 1994 PCT Filed Mar. 9, 1992 PCT Pub. No. WO92/15667 PCT Pub. Date Sep. 17, 1992A process for maintaining a high rate of mass transfer of nutrients contained in a liquid feed stream to a biofilm of microorganisms supported on a bed of particulate matter. The microorganisms in the biofilm are subjected to a continuous, uniform flow of the liquid feed steam and a countercurrent flow of respiratory air so as to support biofilm growth. The bed is periodically pulsed with air at a pressure sufficient to shed microorganisms from the biofilm, and at intervals sufficient to avoid preferential channeling of the liquid feed steam through the bed and/or to disrupt and rearrange the bed of particulate matter.