Solid-liquid two-phase partitioning bioreactors for the treatment of gas-phase volatile organic carbons (VOCs) by a microbial consortium.
A two-phase partitioning bioreactor (TPPB), employing styrene-butadiene co-polymer beads as the sequestering/delivery phase, was used to treat high step change loadings of toluene in a contaminated air stream. The polymers, which are biocompatible and non-bioavailable, allowed the use of a microbial consortium and effectively absorbed and released the toluene vapours for biodegradation, while providing a buffering effect against high toluene transients. Toluene loadings were increased from a base steady state rate of 343-6,000 g/m(3) h for 1 h periods, with the polymer-aqueous system substantially outperforming a single phase system on the basis of improving the toluene removal efficiency and reducing the maximum toluene concentrations emitted during the transients.
Daugulis
Andrew J
AJ
Department of Chemical Engineering, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada K7L 3N6. daugulis@chee.queensu.ca
Boudreau
Neal G
NG
D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D019149:Bioreactors; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D005740:Gases / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008863:Microspheres; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010100:Oxygen; D011108:Polymers / Q000378:metabolism; D014050:Toluene / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014835:Volatilization
D005740:Gases; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D011108:Polymers; D014050:Toluene; D010100:Oxygen