Influence of biofilm accumulation on porous media hydrodynamics

The effect of biofilm accumulation on the media porosity, permeability, and friction factor of porous media biofilm reactors was investigated under laboratory conditions. At maximum biofilm thickness, media porosity decreased by 50 96% and permeability decreased by 92 98%, while friction factor increased. However, at maximum biofilm thickness, a permeability of at least 3 10 super(-8) cm super(2) was retained. The biofilm was developed with a culture of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a substrate of glucose. These findings have potential applications to biohydrometallurgy, bioremediation of contaminated soil and groundwater, and enhanced oil recovery.