Surface tension as a limiting factor for aerobic n‐alkane biodegradation

Abstract A new mathematical model for n‐alkane biodegradation in crude oil, heavy oil and paraffinic mixtures is described. The pattern of n‐alkane degradation as a function of the inverse of hydrocarbon chain length reported in this paper can be considered as general behaviour for many aerobic n‐alkane biodegradation processes. A new interpretation of n‐alkane biodegradation as a function of surface tension, is given. A mathematical expression was obtained starting from the degradation values of n‐alkane and relative surface tension, which is a parameter independent of fermentation conditions. An interesting parameter, b, was identified which represented the accelerating conversion factor for n‐alkane biodegradation. The findings suggested that the n‐alkane biodegradation. The findings suggested that he n‐alkane biodegradation rate may be affected by the fermentation condition (agitation, aeration, etc.) and by the strain of microorganism, while the behaviour pattern of n‐alkane degradation was essentially linked to the substrate characteristics (molecular structure, molecular weight and density).