Experimental investigation of bio-removal of toxic organic pollutants from highly saline solutions in a triphasic system.
A combined solvent extraction and biphasic biodegradation process was proposed to remove organic pollutants from highly saline solutions, where the organic solvent is biocompatible and the organic-aqueous interface remains quasi-quiescent during the process. Phenol and Pseudomonas putida BCRC 14365 were selected as the model organic compound and biomass, respectively. The effects of added NaCl concentration (50-200 g/L) and pH (1.0-9.0) in synthetic solutions on phenol removal and cell growth were studied at 30 degrees C. The initial cell concentration was fixed at 0.025 g/L. Within the examined range, the adjustment of solution pH to 3.0 resulted in the best removal performance of 1100 mg/L phenol from such saline solutions (an apparent removal rate of about 20 mg/(Lh)) when using kerosene as the organic solvent. The overall process appeared to be favored when the salt concentration in saline solution was in the range of 100-150 g/L. The application potentials of such a triphasic process for the removal of toxic organics (phenol) from highly saline and acidic wastewaters were finally demonstrated in fed-batch mode.
Juang
Ruey-Shin
RS
Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Yuan Ze University, Chung-Li 32003, Taiwan. rsjuang@saturn.yzu.edu.tw
Tseng
Kuo-Jui
KJ
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D019149:Bioreactors; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009676:Noxae / Q000032:analysis*; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis*; D010636:Phenols / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016958:Pseudomonas putida / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D012722:Sewage / Q000032:analysis; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000737:chemistry*; D012996:Solutions; D012997:Solvents; D013696:Temperature; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D009676:Noxae; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D010636:Phenols; D012722:Sewage; D012996:Solutions; D012997:Solvents; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D012965:Sodium Chloride