Biofiltration of high concentrations of methanol vapors: removal performance, carbon balance and microbial and fly populations

BACKGROUND Methanol vapors, broadly emitted by industry, can be cost‐effectively treated by biofiltration. However, long‐term operation under high concentrations regularly encountered in the pulp and paper industry (> 5 g m−3) has been barely studied. RESULTS Methanol concentrations between 1.6 a...

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Published inJournal of chemical technology and biotechnology (1986) Vol. 94; no. 6; pp. 1925 - 1936
Main Authors Cruz‐García, Blanca, Geronimo‐Meza, Andrea Selene, Martínez‐Lievana, Concepción, Arriaga, Sonia, Huante‐González, Yolanda, Aizpuru, Aitor
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.06.2019
Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
Subjects
Biofilms
Biofilters
Biofiltration
Biomass
Clogging
flies
Fungi
high concentrations
Larvae
Methanol
microorganism identification
Microorganisms
Organic chemistry
Pulp
Pulp & paper industry
Retention time
Vapors
Yeast
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Summary:BACKGROUND Methanol vapors, broadly emitted by industry, can be cost‐effectively treated by biofiltration. However, long‐term operation under high concentrations regularly encountered in the pulp and paper industry (> 5 g m−3) has been barely studied. RESULTS Methanol concentrations between 1.6 and 14 g m−3 were treated in a biofilter. Complete methanol removal was obtained for concentrations up to 3.5 g m−3, for an empty bed retention time (EBRT) of 60 s. A higher EBRT (160 s) was necessary to eliminate all methanol for concentrations up to 7 g m−3. For higher concentrations, a maximum elimination capacity (ECmax) of 343.8 g m−3 h−1 was achieved. The main challenge encountered during the biofiltration of high methanol concentrations was excessive biomass buildup (with a performance drop due to clogging occurring every 2 weeks). Under high methanol concentrations, 11 bacteria, three fungi, and one yeast prevailed in the biofilm. Flies and fly larvae were detected when no biofilter clogging was observed, regulating biomass excess. CONCLUSIONS High methanol concentrations trigger biomass growth and clogging. Diptera represent a research opportunity to control such phenomena. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
ISSN:0268-2575
1097-4660
DOI:10.1002/jctb.5974