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Oxidation of ethanol vapors in a spiral bioreactor
Author(s) -
Shim Jeong Seop,
Jung Jont Tai,
Sofer Sam,
Lakhwala Fayaz
Publication year - 1995
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.280640109
Subject(s) - bioreactor , ethanol , residence time (fluid dynamics) , chemistry , volumetric flow rate , volume (thermodynamics) , chromatography , biochemistry , organic chemistry , physics , geotechnical engineering , quantum mechanics , engineering
Abstract A fixed film spiral bioreactor containing immobilized activated sludge microorganisms has been used to degrade ethanol vapors. The effect of air flow rate, and ethanol feed concentration on elimination capacity has been investigated. Air flow rate is varied in the range from 2ṁ34 to 40ṁ0 dm 3 min −1 . Ethanol feed concentration is varied in the range from 600 to 7000 ppmv. In the concentration range studied, the elimination capacity increased proportionately with an increase in feed concentration. However, the elimination capacity decreased significantly at flow rates greater than 20 dm 3 min −1 owing to insulfficient residence time. The maximum elimination capacity observed was 185 g ethanol h −1 m −3 of reactor volume. Critical ethanol loading, defined as the maximum loading to achieve greater than 99% elimination at various residence times have been determined. These data are extremely useful in designing bioreactor for large scale applications.