Biopellet reactor advice

[recess62]

I am in the middle of a 90 gal build. I would like to use a biopellet reactor for Nitrate export. The sump is set up with a manifold 2 gate valves running off the return line. My return pump is a Tunze Silence 1073.05. My question is will this pump provide enough flow to run a Gfo reactor and a biopellet reactor off the manifold while still providing adequate flow to the tank?

 

[Diesel]

I wouldn't run a bio pellet reactor of the return pump.
Look how bio pellets reactors are designed, it more effective on how much re-circulation than the flow through the reactor.

 

[recess62]

The reason I put the gate valve in was to control flow through reactor I realize that we are looking for a gentle rolling action which I should be able to control with the gate valve. I have read about the recirculating issue. From my understanding of microbiology which is at a post graduate level, the growth of the bacteria will be limited by its food supply. Since there is an over abundance of available carbon the limiting factor should be nitrate Wouldn't one want the nitrate levels within the chamber to be equal to the levels in the entire system. By recirculating the effluent the nitrate levels within the reactor chamber are lowered there by lowering the efficiency of nitrification. I find it hard to believe that dwell time within the reactor chamber does much to increase efficiency. Is there any hard data on this other than people's personal anecdotal experience. Please educate me if I am not understanding this process. I have no yet purchased the reactor I am not adverse in getting a recirculator reactor if there is data to support its increased efficacy. I only want to do this once and want it done correctly.

 

[Salty1962]

I don't know that the Tunze would be enough flow. Even at 24vdc it would be pushing it with 2 reactors on a tank that size . I run a manifold with a DC3000, about the same gph as the Tunze @ 24vdc, and it's just good enough for my 2 reactors by itself. JMO

 

[ChristopherKriens]

... Wouldn't one want the nitrate levels within the chamber to be equal to the levels in the entire system. By recirculating the effluent the nitrate levels within the reactor chamber are lowered there by lowering the efficiency of nitrification. I find it hard to believe that dwell time within the reactor chamber does much to increase efficiency.

You're not misunderstanding. Recirculation isn't about maximizing efficiency, it's about providing a reliable mechanism for controlling that efficiency. Unrestrained bio pellets often take you farther than you want to go, and limiting the flow throughput of the reactor is the best way to keep things in check and maintain whatever residual nitrate you think is best for your system.