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Anoxic/oxic biodegradation of aminobenzene

Journal Article · · Journal of Environmental Engineering
;  [1]
  1. Univ. of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (United States)

Biodegradation of aminobenzene, which is used as the only source of carbon and nitrogen, is evaluated in a single fluidized bed reactor operated in a temporal, anoxic/oxic mode. The experimental evidence indicates that total organic carbon (TOC) is removed with >91% efficiency at a feed concentration of 100 mg/L and a dilution rate of 2.4 day[sup [minus]1]. Moreover, about 53--63% of feed total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) is also removed, confirming that effective removal of nitrogenous matter in aminobenzene (i.e., the [minus]NH[sub 2] group) is achievable in a temporal, anoxic/oxic environment. The kinetic analysis shows that TOC removal in oxic cycles is rapid and substantial, which enables nitrification to proceed at a discernible rate. In addition, the data on TOC and NO[sub 3][sup [minus]]-N removal in anoxic cycles reveal that carbonaceous matter in aminobenzene and/or its intermediate metabolites is effectively utilized for denitrification. The best treatment performance, in terms of carbon and nitrogen removal and potential savings in aeration costs, is obtained by coupling a 6 h oxic cycle with a 6 h anoxic cycle. All reaction rates estimated in anoxic/oxic experiments remain relatively constant over the range of conditions tested.

OSTI ID:
6439014
Journal Information:
Journal of Environmental Engineering, Journal Name: Journal of Environmental Engineering Vol. 125:7; ISSN 0733-9372; ISSN JOEEDU
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English