Abstract
AbstractInteractions amongst the degradation rates of toluene, xylenes, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), and n‐butyl acetate (n‐BA) were investigated. Experiments were performed in a biotrickling filter reactor packed with polypropylene Pall rings in a counter‐current air–water mode of operation. Under pseudo‐steady‐state conditions, the removal efficiency (RE) of the individual components in the middle of and at the effluent above the reactor bed was evaluated. By using a mixed microbial culture as the biocatalyst, the results revealed that an increased loading of toluene and xylene had a competitive effect on the RE of MIBK. After reaching a saturation point of the overall catabolic capacity of the biocatalyst, variations of RE were observed for the different components. This was most pronounced under conditions of overloading with the water‐soluble components mixture. Despite such variations, the system was able to efficiently degrade this complex pollutant mixture for a period of 1 yr. © 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2006
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
