ABSTRACT
Mathematical models of the wet air oxidation process are a useful tool in designing and simulating the functioning of reactors. Many lumped kinetic models have been proposed to predict optimum operating conditions (Li 1991, Zhang & Chuang 1999, Belkacemi et al. 2000, Verenich & Kallas 2002). However, they do not include changes in insoluble biosolids in the sludge processed using WAO. Modelling biosolids concentrations during the wet oxidation process is important for predicting subsequent anaerobic digestion of the liquid and/or suspension obtained, because the lysis of microorganism cells is a controlling step in the methane fermentation process.
