IMPLICATIONS OF SOLUBLE MICROBIAL PRODUCTS (SMP) FORMATION ON BIOFILM REACTOR PERFORMANCE.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the implications of SMP formation for biofilm treatment. To do so, the extended steady-state model was applied to predict effluent concentrations for a range of substrate loadings relevant to wastewater treatment and water reuse. Modeling results for soluble microbial products (SMP), residual original substrate(s), soluble organic carbon (SOC) presented in this study are expressed on the basis of organic carbon (C). It is found that SMP may not be present in significant amounts for highly loaded biofilm processes that treat relatively high strength waste waters at high loads. For low-surface-loading environment SMP seems to be important. The concept that biological treatment processes are not only utilizers of soluble organic matter, but also producers of them is very important for the assessment of treatment efficiency, operation of treatment plant, and design of the biological processes.