title: Kinetics of methanogenic degradation of phenol by activated-carbon-supported and granular biomass.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G3.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Craik
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Fedorak
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Hrudey
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Gray