Efficient Steady-State Volatile Organic Compound Removal from Air by Live Bacteria Immobilized on Fiber Supports

• Published in: Bioremediation journal 2000-01, Vol.4 (1), p.81-96
• Main Authors: Kozliak, Evguenii I., Ostlie-Dunn, Tana L., Jacobson, Michele L., Mattson, Steven R., Domack, Ryan T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: volatile organic compounds
• ISSN: 1088-9868; 1547-6529
• DOI: 10.1080/10588330008951134

Fibers are suggested for bacterial immobilization in trickle-bed bioreactors used for the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from air. Fiber-based bioreactors retain up to 200 to 300 mg of dry biomass per 1 g of support, which is a much larger value than that of traditional, granule-based bioreactors. Air pollutant removal efficiency for fiber-based bioreactors remains high with large inlet pollutant concentrations or space velocities (lower contact times). Efficient removal is achieved not only for a water-miscible substrate (ethanol), but also for some less water-soluble compounds, such as ethyl acetate and styrene. Specific pollutant elimination capacity per unit fiber-based biocatalyst volume (up to 4000 g/m 3 -h) exceeds those of biological air purification methods and is comparable to chemical methods. Unlike granule-based biocatalysts, oxygen limitation for pollutant biodegradation is not observed. Evidence obtained shows that the higher air purification efficiency is due to the greater surface-to-volume ratio of fibers when compared with granules, which results in a more efficient substrate mass transfer.