Fast aqueous biodegradation of highly-volatile organic compounds in a novel anaerobic reaction setup

The present work explores the biodegradation of some emerging pollutants (EPs) in an anaerobic slowly-agitated up-flow packed-bed reactor (USPBR) filled with biological activated carbon (BAC). Chlorobenzene (CB) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) were selected as volatile organic compounds (...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Garcia Martinez, Yonhara, Chirinos, Judith, Bengoa, Christophe José, Stüber, Frank, Font Capafons, Josep, Fortuny Sanromá, Agustín|||0000-0002-2350-8654, Fabregat Llangostera, Azael|||0000-0002-5525-5401
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2018
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/329722
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/329722
https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/environments5110115
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Biodegradation
Volatile organic compounds
Anaerobic biodegradation
Continuous fixed-bed reactor
Biological activated carbon
Chlorobenzene
2
4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid
Compostos orgànics volàtils -- Aspectes ambientals
Biodegradació
Carbó activat -- Aplicacions científiques
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria química
Descripción
Sumario:The present work explores the biodegradation of some emerging pollutants (EPs) in an anaerobic slowly-agitated up-flow packed-bed reactor (USPBR) filled with biological activated carbon (BAC). Chlorobenzene (CB) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) were selected as volatile organic compounds (VOC) and major constituents of many pesticides. Experiments carried out in continuous operation showed that bioconversion up to 90% was achieved for CB and 2,4-D, at space times below 0.6 h and 1.2 h, respectively, at ambient temperature. Overall, removal rates of 0.89 g L-1 d-1 and 0.46 g L-1 d-1 were obtained for CB and 2,4-D, respectively. These results revealed that the degradation of CB and 2,4-D in this anaerobic configuration of bioreactor is an efficient and fast process. The Michaelis–Menten model properly describes the degradation process for CB. Above initial concentrations of 100 mg L-1, 2,4-D presented a considerable inhibitory effect over the biofilm. For this reason, a substrate inhibition factor was included in the Michaelis–Menten equation; the expanded model presented a good fitting to the experimental data, regardless of the inlet concentration. Therefore, USPBR-BAC combination showed to be a highly efficient system for the biodegradation of such compounds.