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Merouani EFO, Ferdowsi M, Buelna G, Jones JP, Benyoussef EH, Malhautier L, Heitz M. Exploring the potential of biofiltration for mitigating harmful gaseous emissions from small or old landfills: a review. Biodegradation 2024; 35:469-491. [PMID: 38748305 DOI: 10.1007/s10532-024-10082-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Landfills are widely employed as the primary means of solid waste disposal. However, this practice generates landfill gas (LFG) which contains methane (CH4), a potent greenhouse gas, as well as various volatile organic compounds and volatile inorganic compounds. These emissions from landfills contribute to approximately 25% of the total atmospheric CH4, indicating the imperative need to valorize or treat LFG prior to its release into the atmosphere. This review first aims to outline landfills, waste disposal and valorization, conventional gas treatment techniques commonly employed for LFG treatment, such as flares and thermal oxidation. Furthermore, it explores biotechnological approaches as more technically and economically feasible alternatives for mitigating LFG emissions, especially in the case of small and aged landfills where CH4 concentrations are often below 3% v/v. Finally, this review highlights biofilters as the most suitable biotechnological solution for LFG treatment and discusses several advantages and challenges associated with their implementation in the landfill environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- El Farouk Omar Merouani
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500 Boulevard de l'Université, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Milad Ferdowsi
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500 Boulevard de l'Université, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Gerardo Buelna
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500 Boulevard de l'Université, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - J Peter Jones
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500 Boulevard de l'Université, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - El-Hadi Benyoussef
- Laboratoire de Valorisation des Énergies Fossiles, École Nationale Polytechnique, 10 Avenue Hassan Badi El Harrach, BP182, 16200, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Luc Malhautier
- Laboratoire des Sciences des Risques, IMT Mines Alès, 6 avenue de Clavières, 30319, Alès Cedex, France
| | - Michèle Heitz
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500 Boulevard de l'Université, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1K 2R1, Canada.
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Wang X, Peng X, Zhao Q, Mi J, Jiang H, Li S, Hu H, Huang H. Synergistic oxidation of toluene through bimetal/cordierite monolithic catalysts with ozone. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7203. [PMID: 38532034 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58026-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Toluene treatment has received extensive attention, and ozone synergistic catalytic oxidation was thought to be a potential method to degrade VOCs (violate organic compounds) due to its low reaction temperature and high catalytic efficiency. A series of bimetal/Cord monolithic catalysts were prepared by impregnation with cordierite, including MnxCu5-x/Cord, MnxCo5-x/Cord and CuxCo5-x/Cord (x = 1, 2, 3, 4). Analysis of textural properties, structures and morphology characteristics on the prepared catalysts were conducted to evaluate their performance on toluene conversion. Effects of active component ratio, ozone addition and space velocity on the catalytic oxidation of toluene were investigated. Results showed that MnxCo5-x/Cord was the best among the three bimetal catalysts, and toluene conversion and mineralization rates reached 100 and 96% under the condition of Mn2Co3/Cord with 3.0 g/m3 O3 at the space velocity of 12,000 h-1. Ozone addition in the catalytic oxidation of toluene by MnxCo5-x/Cord could efficiently avoid the 40% reduction of the specific surface area of catalysts, because it could lower the optimal temperature from 300 to 100 °C. (Co/Mn)(Co/Mn)2O4 diffraction peaks in XRD spectra indicated all the four MnxCo1-x/Cord catalysts had a spinel structure, and diffraction peak intensity of spinel reached the largest at the ratio of Mn:Co = 2:3. Toluene conversion rate increased with rising ozone concentration because intermediate products generated by toluene degradation might react with excess ozone to generate free radicals like ·OH, which would improve the toluene mineralization rate of Mn2Co3/Cord catalyst. This study would provide a theoretical support for its industrial application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojian Wang
- Shanghai Tobacco Group Co. LTD, Shanghai, 200082, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaomin Peng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Multi-Media Pollution Cooperative Control in Yangtze Basin, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Quanzhong Zhao
- Inner Mongolia Power Research Institute Branch, Inner Mongolia Power (Group) Co., Ltd., Hohhot, 010020, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinxing Mi
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, People's Republic of China
| | - Huating Jiang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Shengli Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Multi-Media Pollution Cooperative Control in Yangtze Basin, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Hu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Multi-Media Pollution Cooperative Control in Yangtze Basin, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Huang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China.
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Multi-Media Pollution Cooperative Control in Yangtze Basin, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, People's Republic of China.
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Qin Y, Liu J, Zhang Y, Wu H. Effect of commutation on pressure drop and microbial diversity in a horizontal biotrickling filter for toluene removal. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:109. [PMID: 38369664 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-03845-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
A horizontal biotrickling filter (HBTF) was designed to understand the toluene removal process and microbial community structures. The start-up time of the HBTF, immobilized by the dominant fungi was only about 6 days and the toluene removal efficiency was found to be more than 95% when the inlet toluene concentration remained at around 1560.0 mg/m3. In the stable operation stage of the HBTF, based on not greatly reducing the removal efficiency, a simple and convenient periodic commutation was adopted to reduce the pressure drop (△P) and regulate the distribution of microorganisms in the packing area of the HBTF. The △P decreased from about 90 Pa to 10 Pa after the commutation, which indicated its feasibility. The performance of the HBTF was improved by changing the inlet direction of waste gas flow. When the inlet concentration of toluene was about 640 mg/m3, the removal efficiency was nearly 70.0% before commutation and it remained 95.0-98.0% after commutation. Microbial abundance and diversity analysis showed that the corresponding Shannon-Weiner index was 2.73 and 1.84, respectively. The front section of the HBTF, which was exposed to toluene earlier, consistently exhibited higher microbial diversity than that in the back section. Following commutation, microbial diversity decreased in both the front and back sections, with a maximum decline of around 50%. The main fungi treating toluene were Aplanochytrium, Boletellus, and Exophiala.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwei Qin
- Key Laboratory of Beijing on Regional Air Pollution Control, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, China
- Beijing Fairyland Environmental Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing, 100096, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Key Laboratory of Beijing on Regional Air Pollution Control, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, China.
| | - Yun Zhang
- Institute of Energy and Environmental Protection, Academy of Agricultural Planning & Engineering, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100125, China
| | - Hongmei Wu
- Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Environmental Monitoring Centre Baotou Sub-Station, Baotou, 014000, China
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Ferdowsi M, Khabiri B, Buelna G, Jones JP, Heitz M. Air biofilters for a mixture of organic gaseous pollutants: an approach for industrial applications. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2023; 43:1019-1034. [PMID: 36001040 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2022.2100735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Hazardous airborne pollutants are frequently emitted to the atmosphere in the form of a gaseous mixture. Air biofilters as the primary biotechnological choice for waste gas treatment (low inlet concentration and high gas flow rate) should run properly when the feed contains multiple pollutants. Simultaneous removal of pollutants in biofilters has been extensively studied over the last 10 years. In this review, the results and findings of the mentioned studies including different groups of pollutants, such as methane (CH4) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are discussed. As the number of pollutants in a mixture increases, their elimination might become more complicated due to interactions between the pollutants. Parallel batch studies might be helpful to better understand these interaction effects in the absence of mass transfer limitations. Setting optimum operating conditions for removal of mixtures in biofilters is challenging because of opposing properties of pollutants. In biofilters, concerns, such as inlet gas composition variation and stability while dealing with abrupt inlet load and concentration changes, must be managed especially at industrial scales. Biofilters designed with multi-layer beds, allow tracking the fate of each pollutant as well as analyzing the diversity of microbial culture across the filter bed. Certain strategies are recommended to improve the performance of biofilters treating mixtures. For example, addition of (bio)surfactants as well as a second liquid phase in biotrickling filters might be considered for the elimination of multiple pollutants especially when hydrophobic pollutants are involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Ferdowsi
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Bahman Khabiri
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Gerardo Buelna
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - J Peter Jones
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michèle Heitz
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
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Simultaneous acidic air biofiltration of toluene and styrene mixture in the presence of rhamnolipids: Performance evaluation and neural model analysis. Biochem Eng J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2022.108637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Dou X, Liu J, Qi H, Li P, Lu S, Li J. Synergistic removal of m-xylene and its corresponding mechanism in a biotrickling filter. Process Biochem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2022.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Dewidar AA, Sorial GA. Effect of rhamnolipids on the fungal elimination of toluene vapor in a biotrickling filter under stressed operational conditions. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 204:111973. [PMID: 34464615 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The application of rhamnolipids in a fungal-cultured biotrickling filter (BTF) has a significant impact on toluene removal. Two BTFs were used; BTF-A, a control bed, and BTF-B fed with rhamnolipids. The effect of empty bed residence times (EBRTs) on toluene bioavailability was investigated. Removal of toluene was carried out at EBRTs of 30 and 60 s and inlet loading rates (LRs) of 23-184 g m-3 h-1. At 30 s EBRT, when inlet LR was increased from 23 to 184 g m-3 h-1, the removal efficiency (RE) decreased from 93% to 50% for the control bed, and from 94% to 87% for BTF-B. Increasing the EBRT simultaneously with inlet LRs, confirms that BTF-A was diffusion-limited by registering a RE of 62% for toluene inlet LR of 184 g m-3 h-1, whereas BTF-B, achieved RE > 96%, confirming a significant improvement in toluene biodegradability. Overall, the best performance was observed at 60 s EBRT and inlet LR of 184 g m-3 h-1, providing a maximum elimination capacity (EC) of 176.8 g m-3 h-1 under steady-state conditions. While a maximum EC of 114 g m-3 h-1 was observed under the same conditions in the absence of rhamnolipids (BTF-A). Measurements of critical micelle concentration showed that 150 mg L-1 of rhamnolipids demonstrated the lowest aqueous surface tension and maximum formation of micelles, while 175 mg L-1 was the optimum dose for fungal growth. Production rate of carbon dioxide, and dissolved oxygen contents highlighted the positive influence of rhamnolipids on adhesive forces, improved toluene mineralization, and promotion of microbial motility over mobility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assem A Dewidar
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - George A Sorial
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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Lamprea Pineda PA, Demeestere K, Toledo M, Van Langenhove H, Walgraeve C. Enhanced removal of hydrophobic volatile organic compounds in biofilters and biotrickling filters: A review on the use of surfactants and the addition of hydrophilic compounds. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 279:130757. [PMID: 34134429 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The use of biological reactors to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from waste gas streams has proven to be a cost-effective and sustainable technique. However, hydrophobic VOCs exhibit low removal, mainly due to their limited bioavailability for the microorganisms. Different strategies to enhance their removal in bio(trickling)filters have been developed with promising results. In this review, two strategies, i.e. the use of surfactants and hydrophilic compounds, for enhancing the removal of hydrophobic VOCs in bio(trickling)filters are discussed. The complexity of the processes and mechanisms behind both strategies are addressed to fully understand and exploit their potential and rapid implementation at full-scale. Mass transfer and biological aspects are discussed for each strategy, and an in-depth comparison between studies carried out over the last two decades has been performed. This review identifies additional strategies to further improve the application of (bio)surfactants and/or hydrophilic VOCs, and it provides recommendations for future studies in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Alejandra Lamprea Pineda
- Research Group EnVOC, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent Belgium.
| | - Kristof Demeestere
- Research Group EnVOC, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent Belgium.
| | - Manuel Toledo
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Science, University of Cordoba (Campus Universitario de Rabanales), Carretera N-IV, Km 396, Marie Curie Building, 14071, Cordoba, Spain.
| | - Herman Van Langenhove
- Research Group EnVOC, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent Belgium.
| | - Christophe Walgraeve
- Research Group EnVOC, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent Belgium.
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Khabiri B, Ferdowsi M, Buelna G, Jones JP, Heitz M. Bioelimination of low methane concentrations emitted from wastewater treatment plants: a review. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2021; 42:450-467. [PMID: 34261394 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2021.1940830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Sewage from residents and industries is collected and transported to wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) with sewer networks. The operation of WWTPs results in emissions of greenhouse gases, such as methane (CH4), mostly due to sludge anaerobic digestion. Amounts of emissions depend on the source of influent, i.e. municipal and industrial wastewater as well as sewer systems (gravity and rising). Wastewater is the fifth-largest source of anthropogenic CH4 emissions in the world and represents 7-9% of total global CH4 emissions into the atmosphere. Global wastewater CH4 emission grew by approximately 20% from 2005 to 2020 and is expected to grow by 8% between 2020 and 2030, which makes wastewater an important CH4 emitter worldwide. This review initially considers the emission of CH4 from WWTPs and sewer networks. In the second part, biotechniques available for biodegradation of low CH4 concentrations (<5% v/v) encountered in WWTPs have been studied. The paper reviews major bioreactor configurations for the treatment of polluted air, i.e. biotrickling filters, bioscrubbers, two-liquid phase bioreactors, biofilters, and hybrid reactor configurations, after which it focuses on CH4 biofiltration systems. Biofiltration represents a simple and efficient approach to bio-oxidize CH4 in waste gases from WWTPs. Major factors influencing a biofilter's performance along with knowledge gaps in relation to its application for treating gaseous emissions from WWTPs are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahman Khabiri
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Milad Ferdowsi
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Gerardo Buelna
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - J Peter Jones
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Michèle Heitz
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
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Wu H, Yang M, Tsui TH, Yin Z, Yin C. Comparative evaluation on the utilization of applied electrical potential in a conductive granule packed biotrickling filter for continuous abatement of xylene: Performance, limitation, and microbial community. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2020; 274:111145. [PMID: 32801108 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 07/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the use of electrically conductive granules as packing material in biotrickling filter (BTF) systems as to provide insights on the specific microbial abundance and functions during the treatment of xylene-containing waste gas. In addition, the effect of applied potential on attached biofilm on conductive granules during xylene degradation was briefly investigated. During stable operation period, the conductive granules packed BTF achieved reactor performance of no less than 80% with a maximum EC of 137.7 g/m3 h. Under applied potential of 1V, the BTF system showed deterioration of xylene removal by ranging from 21 to 76%, which also affected the distribution and relative abundance of the major microorganisms such as Xanthobacter, Acidovorax, Rhodococcus, Hydrogenophaga, Arthrobacter, Brevundimonas, Pseudoxanthomonas, Devosia, Shinella, Sphingobium, Dokdonella, Pseudomonas and Bosea. The acclimation of applied potential led to the enrichment of autotrophic bacteria and strains, which are correlated to improved nitrogen cycling. In general, applying electrical potential is feasible to shape the microbiological structure of biofilms to selectively adjust their biochemical functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wu
- Department of Chemistry, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, China; Department of Environmental Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, 066000, China
| | - Mengxin Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, China
| | - To-Hung Tsui
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zhenxing Yin
- Department of Chemistry, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, China.
| | - Chengri Yin
- Department of Chemistry, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, China.
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Chen CY, Wang GH, Tsai CT, Tsai TH, Chung YC. Removal of toluene vapor in the absence and presence of a quorum-sensing molecule in a biotrickling filter and microbial composition shift. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART A, TOXIC/HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING 2019; 55:256-265. [PMID: 31662034 DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2019.1684120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Revised: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Toluene is highly toxic and mutagenic, and it is generally used as an industrial solvent. Thus, toluene removal from air is necessary. To solve the problem of reducing high toluene concentrations with a short gas retention time (GRT), a quorum-sensing molecule [N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone] (OHL) was added to a biotrickling filter (BTF). In this study, a BTF was used to treat synthetic and natural waste gases containing toluene. An extensive analysis was performed to understand the removal efficiency, removal characteristics, and bacterial community of the BTF. The addition of 20 μM OHL to the BTF significantly improved toluene removal, and more than 99.2% toluene removal was achieved at a GRT of 0.5 min when natural waste gas containing toluene (590-1020 ppm or 2.21-3.83 g m-3) was introduced. The maximum inlet load for toluene was 337.9 g m-3 h-1. Moreover, the BTF exhibited satisfactory adaptability to shock loading and shutdown operations. Pseudomonadaceae (33.0%) and Comamonadaceae (26.3%) were predominant bacteria in the system after a 98-day operation. These bacteria were responsible for toluene degradation. The optimal moisture content and low pressure drop for system operations demonstrated that the BTF was energy and cost efficient. Therefore, processing through a BTF with OHL is a favorable technique for toluene treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Yu Chen
- Department of Tourism and Leisure, Hsing Wu University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Guey-Horng Wang
- Research Center of Natural Cosmeceuticals Engineering, Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen, China
| | - Cheng-Ta Tsai
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, China University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Teh-Hua Tsai
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Chien Chung
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, China University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan
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