Novel membrane bioreactor with gas/liquid two-phase flow for high-performance degradation of phenol

Journal Article · Tue Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1998 · Biotechnology Progress

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/bp980069z· OSTI ID:290115

Leonard, D; Mercier-Bonin, M; Lindley, N D; Lafforgue, C ^[1]

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1. Inst. National des Sciences Appliquees, Toulouse (France)

The use of a membrane bioreactor with cell retention to achieve high biomass concentrations has been examined for phenol degradation by the bacteria Alcaligenes eutrophus. This process is particularly interesting for toxic substrates as the hydraulic dilution rate and the growth rate are independently controlled. In the case of a transitory excess of phenol, this potentially toxic situation can be overcome by modifying the substrate concentration or the dilute rate without any loss of cells. The injection of a gas phase at the filter inlet increased both the permeate flow rate and the oxygen transfer capacity. This has enabled the cell concentration to reach a maximum value of 60 g L{sup {minus}1} with a hydraulic dilution rate of 0.5 h{sup {minus}1} and a phenol feed concentration of 8 g L{sup {minus}1}. The volumetric productivity of this process corresponds to a phenol degradation rate approaching 100 kg m{sup {minus}3} day{sup {minus}1}. The on-line measurement of the characteristic yellow color of 2-hydroxymuconate semialdehyde, a metabolic intermediate of the phenol degradation pathway, in the permeate provides an interesting basis for process control of phenol supply into the reactor since the color intensity correlates directly to the specific rate of phenol degradation.

• OSTI ID: 290115
• Journal Information: Biotechnology Progress, Journal Name: Biotechnology Progress Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 14; ISSN 8756-7938; ISSN BIPRET
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BIODEGRADATION
BIOREACTORS
PHENOL
REMEDIAL ACTION
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT