Enhancement of phase separation by the addition of de-emulsifiers to three-phase (diesel oil/biocatalyst/aqueous phase) emulsion in diesel biodesulfurization.
Ethanol, added as a de-emulsifier to separate oil and biocatalyst (or bacterial cells) from a three-phase (oil/biocatalyst/aqueous phase) emulsion, formed in diesel biodesulfurization employing Gordonia nitida, improved oil recovery by centrifugation from about 50% in its absence to almost 100% at 3% (v/v). The biocatalyst recovered with ethanol addition showed similar specific growth rates (0.03 h(-1)) and dibenzothiophene desulfurization rates (6-7.2 mol l(-1) h(-1)) to those (0.03 h(-1) and 7.1 mol l(-1), respectively) of the biocatalyst recovered with no ethanol addition. The desulfurization activity significantly increased as the number of the repeated recovery and reuse of the biocatalyst.
Choi
Ok Kyoung
OK
Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, 11-1 Daehyon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-750, Korea.
Choi
Kyung Suk
KS
Ryu
Hee Wook
HW
Chang
Yong Keun
YK
D000192:Actinomycetales / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D019149:Bioreactors; D002384:Catalysis; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002498:Centrifugation / Q000379:methods; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry; D004655:Emulsions; D000431:Ethanol / Q000737:chemistry; D005079:Excipients / Q000737:chemistry; D005742:Gasoline; D010578:Petroleum / Q000378:metabolism; D011786:Quality Control; D013455:Sulfur / Q000378:metabolism*; D013457:Sulfur Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D013500:Surface Tension; D014783:Viscosity
D003470:Culture Media; D004655:Emulsions; D005079:Excipients; D005742:Gasoline; D010578:Petroleum; D013457:Sulfur Compounds; D000431:Ethanol; D013455:Sulfur