Enhanced styrene removal in a two-phase partitioning bioreactor operated as a biotrickling filter: Towards full-scale applications

• Published in: Chemical engineering journal (Lausanne, Switzerland : 1996) Switzerland : 1996), 2017-02, Vol.309, p.588-595
• Main Authors: San-Valero, Pau, Gabaldón, Carmen, Penya-roja, Josep M., Quijano, Guillermo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological air treatment; Biotrickling filtration; Silicone oil; Styrene; Two-phase partitioning bioreactor
• ISSN: 1385-8947; 1873-3212
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2016.10.054

[Display omitted] •Styrene was successfully degraded in a TPPB operated as a BTF.•Superior styrene abatement was observed in the TPPB-BTF relative the control BTF.•Industrial-grade silicone oil was used for TPPB-BTF implementation.•The TPPB-BTF recovered a high and stable styrene removal after transient conditions. Styrene vapor abatement was investigated in a two-phase partitioning bioreactor operated as a biotrickling filter (TPPB-BTF). The removal performance of the TPPB-BTF was simultaneously compared with a conventional BTF, which served as a control. Industrial-grade silicone oil was used as the non-aqueous phase in the TPPB-BTF due to its high affinity for styrene. Both bioreactors were operated at styrene inlet concentrations ranging from 55 to 323mgCm−3 and empty bed residence times (EBRT) of 15–30s, corresponding to pollutant loading rates of 13–77gCm−3h−1. Both bioreactors exhibited styrene removal efficiencies (REs) higher than 90% at an EBRT of 30s. Nevertheless, the TPPB-BTF showed a superior removal performance than that recorded in the control BTF at EBRTs shorter than 30s. REs of 89%, 84% and 57% were recorded in the TPPB-BTF at EBRT of 15s and loading rates of 13, 22 and 77gCm−3h−1, respectively, while the control BTF supported removal efficiencies of 64%, 42% and 18–42% under the same experimental conditions. The resilience and robustness of the TPPB-BTF over styrene shock loadings and transient inlet concentration was also confirmed, the TPPB-BTF being able to recover a stable RE of 89% one day after such operation disturbances. The potential of the TPPB-BTF towards full scale applications was also critically discussed based on the experimental determination of silicone oil loses through aqueous phase renewal, which accounted for 0.4% of the initial volume of oil added to the TPPB-BTF after 87 days of operation.