Treatment of trichloroethylene (TCE) in a membrane biofilter

Journal Article · Fri Apr 05 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Biotechnology and Bioengineering

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0290(19960405)50:1<57::AID-BIT7>3.3.CO;2-F· OSTI ID:227857

Parvatiyar, M G; Govind, R ^[1]; Bishop, D F ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Cincinnati, OH (United States). Dept. of Chemical Engineering
2. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH (United States). Risk Reduction Engineering Lab.

This article reports on the biodegradation of trichloroethylene (TCE) in a hollow-fiber membrane biofilter. Air contaminated with TCE was passed through microporous hollow fibers while an oxygen-free nutrient solution was recirculated through the shell side of the membrane module. The biomass was attached to the outside surface of the microporous hollow fibers by initially supplying toluene in the gas phase that flows through the fibers. While studies on TCE biodegradation were conducted, there was no toluene present in the gas phase. At 20-ppmv inlet concentration of TCE and 36-s gas-phase residence time, based on total internal volume of the hollow fibers, 30% removal efficiency of TCE was attained. At higher air flow rates or lower gas-phase residence times, lower removal efficiencies were observed. During TCE degradation, the pH of the liquid phase on the shell side of the membrane module decreased due to release of chloride ions. A mathematical model was developed to describe the synchronous aerobic/anaerobic biodegradation of TCE.

• OSTI ID: 227857
• Journal Information: Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Journal Name: Biotechnology and Bioengineering Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 50; ISSN BIBIAU; ISSN 0006-3592
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ANOXIA
BIODEGRADATION
CHLORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
GROUND WATER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MEMBRANES
REMEDIAL ACTION
SOILS
WASTE PROCESSING