Performance evaluation of a trickling bioreactor inoculated with Ralstonia eutropha for removal of toluene vapor

Among different technologies for the removal of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from the polluted industrial air, biological methods are more attractive as they are cost-effective, have high performance for the removal of VOCs at low concentration and not producing any secondary waste stream. BioTrickling Filtration (BTF) is one of the most recognized biological methods for removing VOCs from the air. Evaluation of the performance of the BTFs over the operation time is very important. In this research, the performance of a BTF packed with Pall ring and pumice and inoculated with Ralstonia eutropha was evaluated for treating toluene vapor for 100 days. The experiments were conducted at Empty Bed Residence Times (EBRTs) of 90 s and 45 s, and inlet concentration of 0.5-4 g/m3. The maximum Elimination Capacity (EC) was obtained as 280 g/m3h. 3.3 mole CO2was produced per mole of toluene consumed by the bacteria, therefore, with regards to the bacteria formulation and production of HCl during the treating process, the biodegradation equation for treating toluene was characterized.