Aerobic cometabolic degradation of chlorinated ethenes
1995
Sipkema, E.M. | Ganzeveld, K.J. | Beenackers, A.A.C.M. (Groningen Univ. (Netherlands). Dept. of Chemical Engineering) | Koning, W. de | Hylckama Vlieg, J.E.T. van | Janssen, D.B.
Many of the chlorinated ethenes (CEs) can aerobically only be converted by cometabolism, a process in which the organism converts the contaminants that it cannot use for growth as a result of the non-specificity of one of its enzymes. Kinetic, economic and environmental considerations lead to the conclusion that presumably, for use in aerobic cometabolic bioremediation systems, the methanotroph Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b is the Best choice. Based on both experimental data on the toxicity of the cometabolic conversion products and engineering considerations, it is concluded that a two step system in which growth is separated from CE conversion is practically the most feasible. Reactor choice is considered and a model is developed to simulate the behaviour of the system. The main design parameters are found to be the influent biomass concentration, the residence time, and the temperature and mixing properties of the conversion reactor. It is concluded that given optimal design of each of the process steps, good performance is obtainable. In the future experimental validation of the predictions will be possible using a small pilot-scale set-up that is being constructed.
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