Kinetics of methanogenic degradation of phenol by activated-carbon-supported and granular biomass.
A continuous-feed recycle bioreactor was used to study the kinetics of methanogenic degradation of phenol at 35 degrees C by bacteria supported on a bed of granular activated carbon (GAC). At dilution rates well above the growth rate of the culture, the cells not only populated the GAC, but also formed a layer of granular biomass. This layer was stabilized by the presence of the GAC, and accounted for over half of the phenol-degrading activity in the bioreactor. The specific phenol degradation rates for GAC-attached biomass, suspended biomass, and granular biomass were all in the range 0.15 to 0.22 mg phenol/mg volatile solids per day as measured under pseudo-steady-state conditions.
Craik
S A
SA
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G3.
Fedorak
P M
PM
Hrudey
S E
SE
Gray
M R
MR