Towards modeling and optimization of a new Rotating Bed Biofilm Reactor for Hydrogen Sulphide removal

In the context of the UE LIFE+ Project BIOSUR (Rotating Bioreactors for sustainable hydrogen sulphide Removal), a full scale prototype of a Rotating Bed Biofilm Reactor was designed and constructed with the aim of using the biodiscs rotation as innovative strategy for excess biomass removal. The prototype was tested for more than 1 year and the removal efficiency was between 80 and 90 % in the periods of operation in standard conditions; the elimination capacity reached peaks of 90 g H2S m-3h-1. The data collected during the test phase were used to simulate the process with simple model implemented in Aquasim. The aim of modelling is to better understand the process and to optimize operational parameters.