Solid-liquid Two-phase Partitioning Bioreactor Research Articles

Sequential anaerobic-aerobic decolourization of a real textile wastewater in a two-phase partitioning bioreactor

This work describes the application of a solid-liquid two-phase partitioning bioreactor (TPPB) for the removal of colour from a real textile wastewater containing reactive azo-dyes. Four polymers were tested over the pH range of 4–9 to select the most effective absorbant to be used as the partitioning phase in the TPPB. The best results were obtained with Hytrel 8206 at pH4 achieving ~70% colour removal, based on the dominant wavelength, in the first 5h of contact time, and 84% after 24h. Wastewater treatment was undertaken in a solid-liquid TPPB operated with Hytrel 8206 in sequential anaerobic-aerobic configuration. The reaction time of 23h was equally distributed between the anaerobic and aerobic phases and, to favour colour uptake, the pH was controlled at 4.5 in the first 4h of the anaerobic phase, and then increased to 7.5. Colour removal (for the dominant wavelength, 536nm) increased from 70 to 85% by modifying the bioreactor operation from single-phase to TPPB mode. Based on COD measurements nearly complete biodegradation of the intermediates produced in the anaerobic phase was obtained, both in the single-phase and two-phase mode, with better performance of the TPPB system reaching 75% CODDye removal.

Effect of polymer molecular weight distribution on solute sequestration in two-phase partitioning bioreactors

Polymeric solids are effective absorbents in two-phase partitioning bioreactors (TPPBs) when they provide adequate absorptive capacity for the target solute, as well as the physical properties required by solid–liquid TPPB operations. This study demonstrates the influence of molecular weight distribution (MWD) on solute uptake, as measured by solute partition coefficient (PC), and mechanical strength, as measured by the polymer’s complex modulus (G∗). Experimental PC data for n-octanol absorption from aqueous solution by poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) demonstrate a decline in absorptive capacity with increasing number average molecular weight (Mn), in agreement with Flory–Huggins solution theory predictions. Importantly, MWD is shown to have no effect on solute uptake, with both unimodal and bimodal distributions generating the same PC at a given Mn. This is in contrast to G∗, whose MWD sensitivity is exploited to formulate bimodal mixtures of poly(isobutylene) (PIB) that provide high n-octanol PC values as well as satisfactory material strength. This bimodal MWD strategy to TPPB absorbent design is extended to miscible solutions of high MW PIB and cyclohexylbenzene, which are shown to generate superior n-octanol PC at a given G∗.

Xenobiotic removal from wastewater in a two-phase partitioning bioreactor: Process modelling and identification of operational strategies

This paper proposes a dynamic model simulating the performance of a fed batch system operated as solid–liquid two-phase partitioning bioreactor, with polymer beads as the sequestering phase, applied to the removal of xenobiotic compounds from concentrated aqueous streams, in which substrate inhibition is significant. The model takes into account substrate mass transfer into, and within, the solid particles. Outputs of the models are xenobiotic concentrations in the liquid and solid phases and the concentration profile within the solid polymer beads. Sensitivity analyses have been performed on the influent concentration and on the main operating parameters, which can be modified to control the process performance (i.e. polymer/feed ratio, reaction and loading times). With an inhibitory substrate, the selected duration of the reaction period exhibits a critical value which determines the transition from high to low efficiency of the bioreactor. Application examples are provided for a target compound, 4-nitrophenol, previously investigated in TPPBs with an immiscible organic solvent, while Hytrel 8206 has been considered as the polymer partitioning phase. The proposed model has been shown to be a powerful tool to predict suitable operating conditions for TPPB systems treating inhibitory substrates.

Mass transfer considerations in solid-liquid two-phase partitioning bioreactors: a polymer selection guide

BACKGROUND Selection of polymers for two-phase partitioning bioreactors (TPPBs) has been focused primarily on predicting a polymer's affinity for the target molecule. Although the extent to which a polymer absorbs a solute is important, the rate of uptake/release must be sufficiently rapid such that a TPPB is not mass transfer limited. This work focused on developing a guide to identify combinations of polymer diffusivities and diffusional path lengths that will ensure a TPPB is not limited by substrate delivery. RESULTS TPPB systems limited by substrate delivery yielded linear growth, while biologically limited systems exhibited exponential growth. Release rates of phenol from various polymer phases increased as polymer diffusivity increased, or as diffusional path length (polymer bead size) decreased. A polymer selection guide was developed identifying combinations of polymer diffusivity and bead size that will ensure a TPPB is not mass transfer limited, for a desired maximum substrate consumption rate. CONCLUSION In selecting polymers for TPPB applications, solute affinity (extent of uptake) has been relatively well characterized using first principles methods, and the present work has now ‘completed the picture’ by providing a description of polymer transport properties (diffusivity and diffusional path length) to be able to generate a guide for selecting polymers. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry

Transformation of ferulic acid to vanillin using a fed‐batch solid–liquid two‐phase partitioning bioreactor

Amycolatopsis sp. ATCC 39116 (formerly Streptomyces setonii) has shown promising results in converting ferulic acid (trans-4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid; substrate), which can be derived from natural plant wastes, to vanillin (4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde). After exploring the influence of adding vanillin at different times during the growth cycle on cell growth and transformation performance of this strain and demonstrating the inhibitory effect of vanillin, a solid-liquid two-phase partitioning bioreactor (TPPB) system was used as an in situ product removal technique to enhance transformation productivity by this strain. The thermoplastic polymer Hytrel(®) G4078W was found to have superior partitioning capacity for vanillin with a partition coefficient of 12 and a low affinity for the substrate. A 3-L working volume solid-liquid fed-batch TPPB mode, using 300 g Hytrel G4078W as the sequestering phase, produced a final vanillin concentration of 19.5 g/L. The overall productivity of this reactor system was 450 mg/L. h, among the highest reported in literature. Vanillin was easily and quantitatively recovered from the polymers mostly by single stage extraction into methanol or other organic solvents used in food industry, simultaneously regenerating polymer beads for reuse. A polymer-liquid two phase bioreactor was again confirmed to easily outperform single phase systems that feature inhibitory or easily further degraded substrates/products. This enhancement strategy might reasonably be expected in the production of other flavor and fragrance compounds obtained by biotransformations.

Demonstration of in situ product recovery of butyric acid via CO2‐facilitated pH swings and medium development in two‐phase partitioning bioreactors

Production of organic acids in solid-liquid two-phase partitioning bioreactors (TPPBs) is challenging, and highly pH-dependent, as cell growth occurs near neutral pH, while acid sorption occurs only at low pH conditions. CO2 sparging was used to achieve acidic pH swings, facilitating undissociated organic acid uptake without generating osmotic stress inherent in traditional acid/base pH control. A modified cultivation medium was formulated to permit greater pH reduction by CO2 sparging (pH 4.8) compared to typical media (pH 5.3), while still possessing adequate nutrients for extensive cell growth. In situ product recovery (ISPR) of butyric acid (pKa = 4.8) produced by Clostridium tyrobutyricum was achieved through intermittent CO2 sparging while recycling reactor contents through a column packed with absorptive polymer Hytrel® 3078. This polymer was selected on the basis of its composition as a polyether copolymer, and the use of solubility parameters for predicting solute polymer affinity, and was found to have a partition coefficient for butyric acid of 3. Total polymeric extraction of 3.2 g butyric acid with no CO2 mediated pH swings was increased to 4.5 g via CO2 -facilitated pH shifting, despite the buffering capacity of butyric acid, which resists pH shifting. This work shows that CO2 -mediated pH swings have an observable positive effect on organic acid extraction, with improvements well over 150% under optimal conditions in early stage fermentation compared to CO2 -free controls, and this technique can be applied other organic acid fermentations to achieve or improve ISPR.

A comparison of three first principles methods for predicting solute–polymer affinity, and the simultaneous biodegradation of phenol and butyl acetate in a two‐phase partitioning bioreactor

AbstractBACKGROUNDSolid–liquid two‐phase partitioning bioreactors (TPPBs) use polymers as the sequestering phase to reduce the concentration of substrates to sub‐inhibitory levels and enhance biodegradation performance. Polymer selection for TPPBs is challenging due to the almost infinite variety of target substrates to be degraded, and the variability and complexity of polymer composition and structure.RESULTSThree different polymer selection criteria, based on either solubility parameters or activity coefficients, were assessed via experimental partitioning coefficients (PCs) for phenol and butyl acetate, two substantially different target contaminant molecules, and the relative ability of the three methods to predict effective polymers was assessed. The best method was also applied to predict which waste polymers would be effective for sequestering these molecules, and TPPB degradation tests were conducted to confirm the effectiveness of a single identified polymer and selected waste polymers.CONCLUSIONAn effective polymer selection criterion was identified and the identified polymer showed a high capacity to absorb both phenol and butyl acetate. Both substrates were successfully degraded in solid–liquid TPPBs using the selected polymer and using mixtures of waste polymers. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry

Simultaneous biodegradation of volatile and toxic contaminant mixtures by solid–liquid two-phase partitioning bioreactors

Microbial inhibition and stripping of volatile compounds are two common problems encountered in the biotreatment of contaminated wastewaters. Both can be addressed by the addition of a hydrophobic auxiliary phase that can absorb and subsequently re-release the substrates, lowering their initial aqueous concentrations. Such systems have been described as Two Phase Partitioning Bioreactors (TPPBs). In the current work the performances of a solid–liquid TPPB, a liquid–liquid TPPB and a single phase reactor for the simultaneous degradation of butyl acetate (the volatile component) and phenol (the toxic component) have been compared. The auxiliary phase used in the solid–liquid TPPB was a 50:50 polymer mixture of styrene–butadiene rubber and Hytrel® 8206, with high affinities for butyl acetate and phenol, respectively. The liquid–liquid TPPB employed silicone oil which has fixed physical properties, and had no capacity to absorb the toxic contaminant (phenol). Butyl acetate degradation was enhanced in both TPPBs relative to the single phase, arising from its sequestration into the auxiliary phase, thereby reducing volatilization losses. The solid–liquid TPPB additionally showed a substantial increase in the phenol degradation rate, relative to the silicone oil system, demonstrating the superiority and versatility of polymer based systems.

Polymer Partitioning Approach for Petroleum Hydrocarbon Reduction in a Clay Soil

Soil contamination by crude oil is a major environmental and health hazard. Extraction of the total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) sorbed to the clay soil (kaolin) was carried out using synthetic sorbent (Desmopan®) and 2-propanol as a mobilizing agent. The crude oil-loaded polymer beads were bioregenerated in a solid–liquid two-phase partitioning bioreactor (TPPB). A central composite design under response surface methodology was employed for the experimental design and analysis of the results. The independent variables were extraction phase to soil ratio, mobilizing agent to soil ratio, and initial concentration of crude oil in polluted soil. The influences of three independent variables on the TPH reduction efficiency were determined using a statistically significant quadratic model (R 2 = 0.9673). Remediation was more efficient when the mobilizing agent to the soil ratio was equal to 3.00 ml g−1, compared to the higher (4.00 ml g−1) and lower (2.00 ml g−1) levels. The results exhibited that the interaction between the extraction phase ratio and the initial concentration of crude oil in kaolin had significantly influenced the TPH removal. The bioregeneration studies showed a significant reduction (72.07 ± 0.63 %) of low-molecular-weight (two- to three-ring) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and n-alkanes (97.75 ± 0.26 %) present in the crude oil-loaded solid polymers within a 10-day experiment. These findings show that solid polymer extraction followed by bioregeneration of sorbents in a TPPB is applicable to treat crude oil-contaminated kaolin.

Solid–liquid two-phase partitioning bioreactors (TPPBs) operated with waste polymers. Case study: 2,4-dichlorophenol biodegradation with used automobile tires as the partitioning phase

Used automobile tire pieces were tested for their suitability as the sequestering phase in a two-phase partitioning bioreactor to treat 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP). Abiotic sorption tests and equilibrium partitioning tests confirmed that tire "crumble" possesses very favourable properties for this application with DCP diffusivity (4.8×10(-8)cm(2)/s) and partition coefficient (31) values comparable to those of commercially available polymers. Biodegradation tests further validated the effectiveness of using waste tires to detoxify a DCP solution, and allow for enhanced biodegradation compared to conventional single-phase operation. These results establish the potential of using a low-cost waste material to assist in the bioremediation of a toxic aqueous contaminant.

A first principles approach to identifying polymers for use in two-phase partitioning bioreactors

BACKGROUND: Two-phase partitioning bioreactors (TPPBs) employ an immiscible phase to partition toxic substrates/products to/away from cells to reduce cytotoxicity and improve bioprocess performance. Initially, immiscible organic solvents were used as the sequestering phase, and their selection included consideration of solute–solvent affinity, which can be predicted through first principles consideration of solute activity and phase equilibrium thermodynamics. Polymers can replace organic solvents in such systems, however, their selection has largely been via heuristic means, and a more fundamental approach is necessary for future success in rational polymer identification. RESULTS: Material properties (polymer crystallinity, solubility parameter, and glass transition temperature Tg) were examined across several polymers and polyaromatic hydrocarbons as target solutes. All were shown to influence solute–polymer affinity. CONCLUSION: This first attempt at identifying physical/chemical properties that affect solute–polymer partitioning has been able to demonstrate some clear trends, and has allowed us to formulate a polymer selection guide, based on first principles, to facilitate the selection of solute–polymer pairs for solid–liquid TPPB applications. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry

Bioproduction of Benzaldehyde in a Solid-liquid Two-phase Partitioning Bioreactor Using Pichia Pastoris

Bioproduction of Benzaldehyde in a Solid-liquid Two-phase Partitioning Bioreactor Using Pichia Pastoris

Application of solid–liquid TPPBs to the production of L‐phenylacetylcarbinol from benzaldehyde using Candida utilis

The biotransformation of benzaldehyde and glucose to L-phenylacetylcarbinol (PAC) using Candida utilis was demonstrated in a solid-liquid two-phase partitioning bioreactor (TPPB) with the aim of reducing substrate, product, and by-product toxicity via sequestration. Previous work in the field had used octanol as the sequestering phase of liquid-liquid TPPBs but was limited by the toxic effects of octanol on C. utilis. To improve solvent selection in any future studies, the critical log P of C. utilis was determined in the current study to be 4.8 and can be used to predict biocompatible solvents. Bioavailability tests showed alkanes and alkenes to be non-bioavailable. As polymers are biocompatible and non-bioavailable, a wide range of commercially available polymers was screened and it was demonstrated that polymer softness plays a key role in absorptive capability. The polymer Hytrel G3548L was selected as the second phase to sequester benzaldehyde, PAC, and benzyl alcohol, with partition coefficients of 35, 7.5, and 10, respectively. With a 9% by volume partitioning phase, 13.6 g/L biomass of C. utilis achieved an overall PAC concentration of 11 g/L, a 1.9-fold improvement over the single-phase case. Benzyl alcohol concentration was 4.5 g/L, a 1.6-fold reduction. The volumetric productivity was 0.85 g/L h, a 1.2-fold improvement over the single-phase system. These results demonstrate a promising starting point for solid-liquid TPPBs for PAC production.

Bioproduction of benzaldehyde in a solid–liquid two-phase partitioning bioreactor using Pichia pastoris

The bioproduction of benzaldehyde from benzyl alcohol using Pichia pastoris was examined in a solid-liquid two-phase partitioning bioreactor (TPPB) to reduce substrate and product inhibition. Rational polymer selection identified Elvax 40W as an effective sequestering phase, possessing partition coefficients for benzyl alcohol and benzaldehyde of 3.5 and 35.4, respectively. The use of Elvax 40W increased the overall mass of benzaldehyde produced by approx. 300% in a 5l bioreactor, relative to a single phase biotransformation. The two-phase system had a molar yield of 0.99, indicating that only minor losses occurred. These results provide a promising starting point for solid-liquid TPPBs to enhance benzaldehyde production, and suggest that multiple, targeted polymers may provide relief for transformations characterized by multiple inhibitory substrates/product/by-products.

Model for a solid‐liquid airlift two‐phase partitioning bioscrubber for the treatment of BTEX

AbstractBACKGROUND: Airlift solid–liquid two‐phase partitioning bioreactors (SL‐TPPBs) have been shown to be effective for the treatment of gas streams containing benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and o‐xylene (BTEX). The airlift SL‐TPPB is a low‐energy system that utilizes a sequestering phase of solid silicone rubber beads (10%v/v) that will uptake and release large amounts of BTEX in order to maintain equilibrium conditions within the system. This increases mass transfer from the gas phase during dynamic loading periods and improves degradation performance. This study discusses the development and analysis of a steady‐state, tanks‐in‐series mathematical model, arising from mass balances on BTEX and oxygen in the gas, aqueous and polymer phases to predict the performance of the airlift SL‐TPPB over various gas flow rates and BTEX loadings.RESULTS: An estimability analysis on model parameters determined that the parameters to which model output is most sensitive are those that affect biological activity, which were targeted for estimation. The developed tanks‐in‐series model was able to predict the removal of BTEX components and dissolved oxygen concentrations over various inlet loadings (20, 60 and 100 mg L−1 h−1) and gas flow rates (2,3 and 4 L min−1) that resulted in a range of system performance from effective BTEX treatment to oxygen limiting conditions.CONCLUSIONS: The model developed, with estimated parameters, provides a valuable tool to determine operating conditions that will result in favourable performance of the airlift SL‐TPPB. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry

Polymer-solute interactions in solid-liquid two-phase partitioning bioreactors

BACKGROUND: Biphasic systems with immiscible solvents have been studied for in situ product removal, and have shown improvements in bioreactor performance, however, problems associated with solvent biocompatibility, bioavailability and operation have been identified. One alternative is the solid–liquid system in which polymer beads are used, absorbing and removing target compounds from the aqueous phase while maintaining equilibrium conditions. This work aims to identify polymer properties that may be important in polymer selection for selected biotransformation molecules including 2-phenylethanol, cis-1,3-indandiol, iso-butanol, succinic acid and 3-hydroxybutyrolactone. RESULTS: Relatively hydrophobic compounds (e.g. 2-phenylethanol) tend to be absorbed by polymers better than hydrophilic ones (e.g. iso-butanol) based on partition coefficient tests; values as high as 80 were obtained for the former and < 3 for the latter. Owing to the presence of polar functional groups on these compounds, polar polymers such as Hytrel® performed better than non-polar ones such as Kraton®. Crystallinity and intermolecular hydrogen-bonding were also found to be important polymer properties. CONCLUSION: Polymers showed excellent results in absorbing hydrophobic compounds such as aromatic alcohols, and positive results in absorbing hydrophilic compounds but to a lesser extent. Grafting hydrophilic functional groups onto polymers may be a promising approach for extending polymer uptake capabilities and is currently being investigated. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry

Model for a solid–liquid stirred tank two-phase partitioning bioscrubber for the treatment of BTEX

A dynamic mathematical model has been developed to predict the performance of a stirred tank, solid–liquid two-phase partitioning bioreactor (SL-TPPB) for the treatment of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and o-xylene (BTEX) contaminated gases. The SL-TPPB system consists of an aqueous phase containing a bacterial consortium and a solid phase of silicone rubber beads (10%; v/v) with a high affinity for BTEX compounds. The silicone rubber beads serve to sequester and release BTEX according to thermodynamic equilibrium, which increases mass transfer from the gas phase and reduces aqueous phase concentrations of these toxic compounds during fluctuating inlet loadings. The model was developed from mass balances on BTEX components in the gas, aqueous and polymer phases, and biomass in the aqueous phase. Dynamic experimental data from this system were used to fit model parameters and to assess the accuracy of the model. A detailed estimability analysis of model parameters and initial conditions was completed to identify uncertain parameters that are most influential for the model predictions and to determine the parameters and initial conditions that should be targeted for estimation using the dynamic data. It was found that the developed model, with estimated parameters and initial conditions, has the ability to predict experimental off-gas BTEX concentrations with reasonable accuracy, which are the outputs of greatest importance.

Response of a solid–liquid two-phase partitioning bioreactor to transient BTEX loadings

A two-phase partitioning bioreactor (TPPB) consisting of an aqueous phase containing a bacterial consortium and a polymeric phase of silicone rubber pellets (solid volume fraction 0.1) was used to treat a gaseous waste stream containing benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and o-xylene (BTEX). The function of the solid polymer phase was to absorb/desorb the gaseous volatile organic compounds providing a buffering effect to protect the cells from high transient loadings and to sequester the BTEX for subsequent degradation. The TPPB was subjected to high and fluctuating inlet loadings of BTEX in the form of 4 h step changes of 2, 4, 6 and 10 times the nominal inlet loading of 60 g m −3 h −1 total BTEX in approximately equal amounts, and removal efficiencies and elimination capacities were determined. It was found that overall removal efficiencies of greater than 95% can be achieved while obtaining overall elimination capacities of up to 282 g m −3 h −1 during transient operation and TPPB operation succumbs to toxic substrate levels between step changes of 6 and 10 times the nominal loading value (360–600 g m −3 h −1). BTEX concentrations in the aqueous phase and the polymer phase of the TPPB were monitored throughout the imposed step changes to determine the extent to which the sequestering phase can buffer the aqueous phase from BTEX. With the polymer phase comprising only 10% of the total working volume of the reactor, the polymer beads accounted for up to 93%, 91% and 70% of the total BTEX present in the working volume for step changes of 2, 4 and 6 times the nominal loading, respectively.

Remediation of PAH contaminated soils: Application of a solid–liquid two-phase partitioning bioreactor

The feasibility of a two-step treatment process has been assessed at laboratory scale for the remediation of soil contaminated with a model mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (phenanthrene, pyrene, and fluoranthene). The initial step of the process involved contacting contaminated soil with thermoplastic, polymeric pellets (polyurethane). The ability of three different mobilizing agents (water, surfactant (Biosolve) and isopropyl alcohol) to enhance recovery of PAHs from soil was investigated and the results were compared to the recovery of PAHs from dry soil. The presence of isopropyl alcohol had the greatest impact on PAH recovery with approximately 80% of the original mass of PAHs in the soil being absorbed by the polymer pellets in 48 h. The second stage of the suggested treatment involved regeneration of the PAH loaded polymers via PAH biodegradation, which was carried out in a solid–liquid two-phase partitioning bioreactor. In addition to the PAH containing polymer pellets, the bioreactor contained a microbial consortium that was pre-selected for its ability to degrade the model PAHs and after a 14 d period approximately 78%, 62% and 36% of phenanthrene, pyrene, and fluoranthene, respectively, had been desorbed from the polymer and degraded. The rate of phenanthrene degradation was shown to be limited by mass transfer of phenanthrene from the polymer pellets. In case of pyrene and fluoranthene a combination of mass transfer and biodegradation rate might have been limiting.

On the use, and reuse, of polymers for the treatment of hydrocarbon contaminated water via a solid–liquid partitioning bioreactor

Aqueous environments contaminated with diesel components pose a threat to the native biota due to the intrinsically toxic nature of the many hydrocarbon compounds present. In the event of diesel being released into an aqueous environment it is imperative that the contaminant is recovered in a rapid manner to ensure the safety of aquatic organisms as well as to maintain desired water quality. The research presented in this study investigates the potential of polymeric sorbents to recover diesel from a contaminated aqueous source. Thermoplastic materials, such as styrene butadiene derived polymers, were shown to substantially reduce diesel levels in excess of 98% with 90% of this recoverable fraction being removed in less than 30 min. Recyclable materials, such as used automobile tires, were shown to obtain similar results with added potential benefit including lower cost and reuse of a waste material. The polymeric sorbents were also biologically regenerated and this was accomplished in a solid-liquid two-phase partitioning bioreactor, in which 65% of the initial diesel contamination was degraded within a 9 day period. The result of this work was the demonstration of a low cost, reusable remediation technology for the recovery, and destruction of diesel from aqueous environments.