7819 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

An Analytical Model for Predicting the Carrying Capacity of Submerged Biofilters Used in Aquaculture Michael ~i. Paller ABSTRACT. Laboratory data and information from the literature were used to develop an equation that models ammonia removal by submerged biofilters. The equation is based on the half-order/zero- order kinetics model for fixed biofilm nitrification, which indicates that the nitrification rate is a linear function of the ammonia concen- tration at ammonia concentrations <2.0 mg/I. Input data for the equation include easily gathered information on flow rate, biofilter size, maximum permissible ammonia level, biofilter influent and biofilter effluent ammonia concentrations, temperature, and ammo- niaproduction rate. The equation can be used to determine the carry- ing capacity of submerged biofilters, to estimate biofilter sizes needed to support various fish loads, and to investigate the effects of changes in biofilter system parameters on carrying capacity. Com- parisons of the predicted and actual carrying capacities of several experimental biofilters indicated that the equation accurately pre- dicted carrying capacity under most conditions. Studies of the sensi- tivity of the equation to changes in system parameters demonstrated that flow rate limits biofilter performance and suggested an ap- proach for determining cost-effective flow rates for biofilter opera- tion. Michael N. Paller, Environmental Sciences Section, 773-42A, Savannah River Laboratory, Westinghouse Savannah River Company, Aiken, SC 29808, USA. Journal of Applied Aquaculture, Vol. 1(3) 1992 4 1992 by The Haworth Press, inc. Alt rights reserved. 1