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Steady‐ and transient‐state operation of a two‐stage bioreactor for the treatment of a gaseous mixture of hydrogen sulphide, methanol and α‐pinene
Author(s) -
Rene Eldon R.,
Estefania López M.,
Veiga María C.,
Kennes Christian
Publication year - 2010
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.2343
Subject(s) - methanol , biofilter , chemistry , hydrogen , bioreactor , trickling filter , steady state (chemistry) , chromatography , pulp and paper industry , chemical engineering , organic chemistry , environmental engineering , wastewater , environmental science , engineering
BACKGROUND: A two‐stage bioreactor, comprising a biotrickling filter (BTF) as the first stage and a biofilter (BF) as the second stage, operated under steady‐ and transient‐state conditions, was tested to remove gas‐phase hydrogen sulphide, methanol and α‐pinene. RESULTS: Hydrogen sulphide and methanol were removed in the first stage, while α‐pinene, was removed predominantly in the second‐stage fungal BF. The effect of the liquid trickling rate was evaluated in the BTF, while concentration‐dependent synergistic and antagonistic interactions in both reactors were assessed by varying the concentration of one pollutant, and by maintaining 100% removal of other pollutants. Increasing the liquid trickling rate decreased methanol removal significantly, from > 93% to 40%. Increasing the concentration of hydrogen sulphide from low to high loading rates did not affect the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), however, the reverse occurred. Under all the conditions tested, α‐pinene removal in the second‐stage biofilter still remained higher than 80%. CONCLUSIONS: The results show the maximum elimination capacities achievable for this complex ternary mixture, under a wide range of operating conditions. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry