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Continuous bioremediation of phenol‐polluted air in an external loop airlift bioreactor with a packed bed
Author(s) -
Nikakhtari Hossein,
Hill Gordon A
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of chemical technology and biotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1097-4660
pISSN - 0268-2575
DOI - 10.1002/jctb.1520
Subject(s) - airlift , phenol , bioreactor , bioremediation , pseudomonas putida , dilution , biodegradation , chemistry , pulp and paper industry , environmental science , materials science , contamination , organic chemistry , ecology , physics , engineering , biology , enzyme , thermodynamics
An external loop airlift bioreactor with a small amount (99% porosity) of stainless steel mesh packing inserted in the riser section was used for bioremediation of a phenol‐polluted air stream. The packing enhanced volatile organic chemical and oxygen mass transfer rates and provided a large surface area for cell immobilization. Using a pure strain of Pseudomonas putida , fed‐batch and continuous runs at three different dilution rates were completed with phenol in the polluted air as the only source of growth substrate. 100% phenol removal was achieved at phenol loading rates up to 33 120 mg h −1 m −3 using only one‐third of the column, superior to any previously reported biodegradation rates of phenol‐polluted air with 100% efficiency. A mathematical model has been developed and is shown to accurately predict the transient and steady‐state data. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry