Demonstration of efficient trichloroethylene biodegradation in a hollow-fiber membrane bioreactor

Journal Article · Sat Mar 20 04:00:00 EST 1999 · Biotechnology and Bioengineering

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0290(19990320)62:6<681::AID-BIT7>3.0.CO;2-1· OSTI ID:323782

Pressman, J G; Georgiou, G; Speitel, Jr, G E ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Texas, Austin, TX (United States)

Rapid cometabolism of trichloroethylene (TCE) by pure cultures of Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b PP358 was demonstrated in a two-stage hollow-fiber membrane bioreactor over the course of 3 weeks. PP358 was grown in a continuous-flow chemostat and circulated through the shell of a hollow-fiber membrane module (HFMM), while TCE contaminated water was pumped through the fiber lumen. In parallel-flow HFMM biological experiments, 82% to 89% of the influent TCE was removed from the lumen with 99% of the transferred TCE undergoing biodegradation. Biological experiments in a larger capacity baffled radial-flow HFMM resulted in 66% to 99% TCE transferred and 93% to 96% TCE biodegradation at lumen residence times of between 1.5 and 3.7 min. Biodegradation was maintained throughout the experiments at pseudo-first-order biodegradation rate constants of 0.41 to 2.8 L/mg TSS/day. Best-fit computer modeling of the baffled radial-flow biological process estimated mass transfer coefficients as large as 2.7 {times} 10{sup {minus}2} cm/min. The computer model was also shown to simulate the experimental results quite well.

• OSTI ID: 323782
• Journal Information: Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Journal Name: Biotechnology and Bioengineering Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 62; ISSN BIBIAU; ISSN 0006-3592
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BIODEGRADATION
BIOREACTORS
CHLORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
REMEDIAL ACTION