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Biofilm Modelling

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Fundamentals of Cell Immobilisation Biotechnology

Part of the book series: Focus on Biotechnology ((FOBI,volume 8A))

Abstract

Attachment of microorganisms to solid surfaces followed by biofilm formation is a well known phenomenon, which must be accounted for both in the design and operation of biotechnological processes. Sometimes biofilm formation is undesirable because it may either decrease process performance or cause damage to equipment [1]. Examples include biologically-assisted corrosion of metals and biofilm growth in water distribution and heat transfer systems. In health care, biofilm formation is linked to tooth decay and contamination of medical implants and catheters. In contrast, a large number of industrial-scale microbiological processes are dependent on biofilms. Examples of biofilm applications include such diverse areas as wastewater treatment and the food and pharmaceutical industries. Most wastewater treatment processes use biofilms (trickling filters, rotating biological contactors, fixed film reactors, anaerobic granular bed reactors) to improve biomass retention and volumetric removal rates. In bioprocessing, biofilm reactors provide high volumetric biomass density and improved operational stability [2]. Overall, the importance of biofilms in industrial processes and health care has prompted extensive experimental and theoretical studies of biofilm systems.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Council of Canada, 6100 Royalmount Ave, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H4P 2R2

    Boris Tartakovsky & Serge R. Guiot

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  1. Boris Tartakovsky
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  2. Serge R. Guiot
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro

    Viktor Nedović

  2. Free University of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium

    Ronnie Willaert

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Tartakovsky, B., Guiot, S.R. (2004). Biofilm Modelling. In: Nedović, V., Willaert, R. (eds) Fundamentals of Cell Immobilisation Biotechnology. Focus on Biotechnology, vol 8A. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1638-3_26

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1638-3_26

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-90-481-6534-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-017-1638-3

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