Membrane Bioreactor for Cometabolism of Trichloroethene Air Emissions
- 1 October 2000
- journal article
- Published by American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in Journal of Environmental Engineering
- Vol. 126 (10), 969-973
- https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)0733-9372(2000)126:10(969)
Abstract
Biofilters have been of limited use for cometabolism of chlorinated organic compounds, such as trichloroethene (TCE), due to enzyme inhibition or toxicity effects. A hollow fiber membrane bioreactor was investigated that involves a bundle of polypropylene fibers through which volatile organic compound contaminated air passes. The fibers are immersed in a recirculating nutrient/cosubstrate solution. Batch culture experiments were performed with a mixed culture that could cometabolize TCE with toluene as a primary substrate. No inhibition or inquiry to the toluene degrading ability was observed at up to 15 mg L−1 toluene or up to 1.5 mg L−1 TCE. The culture was inoculated into the hollow-fiber membrane bioreactor. Initially toluene was supplied to the reactor to build a sufficient biomass density on the fibers. After steady-state toluene removal was achieved, TCE was added to the gas phase of the reactor. Toluene was added in three different configurations: (1) As a mixture with TCE in the gas phase; (2) by pulsing into the gas phase; or (3) to the liquid phase. This paper investigates which reactor configuration is most favorable for cometabolism of toluene and TCE.Keywords
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