Operation of a two-stage treatment train for the remediation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from a complex air stream

Conference · Thu Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1999

OSTI ID:20002196

Manninen, M R; Kleinheinz, G T; Niemi, B A; Hose, J T

The use of aqueous biological systems to remove contaminants from waste streams has been well documented. However, in complex waste streams containing compounds of varying chemical properties, the use of only one type of treatment system may not be the best alternative. When treating a complex waste stream, the use of treatment trains, or coupled systems, may be advantageous when compared with any single technology. The purpose of this project was to design and operate a treatment train for the effective removal and biodegradation of a complex mixture of VOCs with varying chemical properties. A bench-scale system was designed consisting of a liquid bioreactor coupled to a biofilter for removal of acetone, methanol, methyl ethyl ketone, naphthalene, alpha-pinene, and toluene. The liquid bioreactor contained an aqueous medium and an inert solid support (polystyrene bioballs) which immobilized a characterized microbial population. The biofiltration portion of the system utilized the same microbial inoculum, but employed Douglas fir bark as its solid support. As the air stream bubbled into the liquid bioreactor, the VOCs were made available to the bacteria for destruction in the aqueous medium or on the polystyrene solid support. The fugitive VOCs from the liquid bioreactor were then subsequently treated by the biofiltration unit. The six-compound VOC mixture was added to the air stream via in-line syringe pump injection. Concentrations of the VOC mixture in the main influent air stream, the effluent air stream from the liquid bioreactor, the aqueous medium in the liquid bioreactor, and the effluent air stream from the biofilter were monitored on a regular basis via an on-line gas chromatograph with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Successful biodegradation of the complex VOC mixture was accomplished with this treatment train, the average total VOC removal efficiency being 96.2% ({+-}2.6).

• Research Organization: Michigan Technological Univ., Houghton, MI (US)
• OSTI ID: 20002196
• Report Number(s): CONF-990608--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
ACETONE
BIODEGRADATION
BIOREACTORS
DESIGN
INDUSTRIAL WASTES
KETONES
METHANOL
NAPHTHALENE
TOLUENE
WASTE PROCESSING