Biodegradation of phenol by Pseudomonas putida DSM 548 in a trickling bed reactor

• Published in: Biochemical engineering journal Vol. 9; no. 3; pp. 211 - 219
• Main Authors: Sá, C.S.A, Boaventura, R.A.R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 2001; Amsterdam Elsevier Science; New York, NY
• Subjects: Biodegradation; Biodegradation of pollutants; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Environment and pollution; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Kinetics; Phenol; Pseudomonas putida; Trickling bed reactor; Biodegradation; Phenol; Kinetics; Pseudomonas putida; Trickling bed reactor; Pseudomonadales; Pollutant; Bioreactor; Biofilm; Bacteria; Pseudomonadaceae; Trickling filter
• ISSN: 1369-703X; 1873-295X
• DOI: 10.1016/S1369-703X(01)00149-8

A trickling bed biofilm reactor packed with PORAVER particles was used to evaluate phenol and total organic carbon (TOC) removal efficiencies by Pseudomonas putida DSM 548. As reported by other authors, it was observed that the average residence time in the reactor is a function of the hydraulic loading rate and the column depth. After the start-up period, the bioreactor was operated at high hydraulic loading rates (16.1 to 32.2 m 3 m −2 d −1). Assuming a constant biomass concentration along the reactor, the overall reaction kinetics follows a pseudo first-order model. The obtained biokinetic constants at 25°C were K 25° C (phenol) ′=287.6 d −1 and K 25° C (TOC) ′=294.8 d −1. It was also observed that metabolites were not consumed along the reactor. The average biofilm thickness was 1.6 mm and the wet and dry biomass densities were 1.04 and 0.17 g cm −3, respectively. Phenol and TOC removal efficiencies, in the temperature range 19–30°C, were expressed as a function of the filter depth and hydraulic loading rate.