Control of aromatic waste air streams by soil bioreactors

Journal Article · Fri Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1991 · Environmental Progress; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/ep.670100417· OSTI ID:7263587

Miller, D E ^[1]; Canter, L W ^[2]

---

1. Environmental Protection Agency, Ada, OK (United States)
2. Univ. of Oklahoma, Norman (United States)

Three soils were examined for the ability to degrade hydrocarbon vapors of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and o-xylene (BTEX). Each of these compounds are major aromatic constituents of gasolines. The soils examined were Rubicon Sand from Traverse City, Michigan, Durant Loam from Ada, Oklahoma, and Dougherty Sand from Stratford, Oklahoma. Soil columns were used to examine the effects of soil type, air flow rate and inlet vapor concentrations. Adjustment of the hydrocarbon loading rate produced removals which corresponded to first-order removal kinetics. Estimated residence times of 10 to 20 minutes produced removals of the individual inlet BTEX compounds which ranged from 8 to 39%. Increasing the residence time produced increased removals corresponding to first-order removal rates. Further increases in the residence time revealed transport limitations which restricted additional removals. Soil which had moisture less than 50% of saturation displayed preferential utilization of benzene followed in order by ethylbenzene, toluene, and o-xylene.

• OSTI ID: 7263587
• Journal Information: Environmental Progress; (United States), Vol. 10:4; ISSN 0278-4491
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BENZENE
BIODEGRADATION
SOILS
DECONTAMINATION
TOLUENE
XYLENES
BIOREACTORS
MATERIALS RECOVERY
REMEDIAL ACTION
VAPORS
ALKYLATED AROMATICS
AROMATICS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CLEANING
DECOMPOSITION
FLUIDS
GASES
HYDROCARBONS
MANAGEMENT
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PROCESSING
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
540220* - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
560300 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology