Removal of nitric oxide in a fungal vapor-phase bioreactor
Stricter emission regulations on ozone precursors have been mandated by the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. As a result, more efficient and cost effective treatment methods for nitrogen oxides (NO{sub x}) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are needed. One promising new technology for removing both NO{sub x} and VOCs from off-gas streams is biofiltration; a simple process whereby contaminated air is passed through a biologically-active packed bed. In this study, a toluene-degrading fungal biofilm was used to treat an aerobic gas stream contaminated with nitric oxide (NO). The fungal bioreactor removed 93% of the inlet 250 ppmv NO at an empty bed contact time of 1 minute when supplied with 90 g/(m{sup 3} h) toluene. The bioreactor achieved a maximum toluene elimination capacity of 270 g/(m{sup 3} h) and maintained greater than 95% toluene removal efficiencies over the 175-day study period. Adverse operating conditions such as low moisture content and nitrogen limitations did not adversely affect the removal of NO or toluene in the fungal bioreactor.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Texas, Austin, TX (US)
- OSTI ID:
- 20002191
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-990608-; TRN: IM200002%%191
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Air and Waste 92nd Annual Meeting and Exhibition, St. Louis, MO (US), 06/20/1999--06/24/1999; Other Information: 1 CD-ROM. Operating Systems: Windows 3.1, '95, '98 and NT; Macintosh; and UNIX; PBD: 1999; Related Information: In: Air and Waste 92nd annual meeting and exhibition proceedings, [9500] pages.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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