Effect of operational parameters on methanol biofiltration coupled with Endochitinase 42 production

Abstract

The academic stay was funded by the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología thought a complement scholarship. The results of such stay are shown in chapter 4 of this work.

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

“…Several studies suggest that high methanol concentrations could inhibit the activity of microorganisms . Herein, methanol concentrations are higher than those applied for extended time (several days) in the literature, as the highest concentration tested (14 g m −3 ) is only comparable to one biofiltration study (13.3 g m −3 ) . As in the present study, this concentration was obtained by increasing the EBRT (from 60 to 120 s), while maintaining the IL, with the same outcome (EC reduction from 367 to 261 g m −3 h −1 ).…”

“…To improve performance while maintaining the IL, and thus reach the maximum capacities of the biofilter, the EBRT was successively increased from 60 s to 110.8 s (phase IV‐b) and 160 s (phase IV‐c). EBRT increases usually enhance biofilter ECs, allowing for a higher contact time between microorganisms and pollutants . However, surprisingly, for the first EBRT increment, EC remained unchanged (276.7 ± 17 g m −3 h −1 ), while, for the second increment, EC significantly dropped (238.8 ± 19 g m −3 h −1 ).…”

“…Thus, biofilter RE can be affected by former variations in operating conditions . Additionally, such reduction of RE can be related to a deterioration of microbiological activity, linked with an accumulation of inactive biomass and high pressure drop . To facilitate methanol removal, MM delivery was increased to 400 mL d −1 , and IL was decreased to 156.5 g m −3 h −1 (phase VI).…”

“…Nevertheless, little is known about biofiltration limits, particularly regarding steady state operation at the maximum system capacity under high concentrations of methanol. As can be seen in Table , most studies have focused on the treatment of inlet methanol concentrations ( C in ) below 5 g m −3 , while only three experiments have reported results above 10 g m −3 . Actually, among those three studies, only one (with different aspects reported in two references), truly reflects the biological degradation of methanol during steady state operation .…”

“…As can be seen in Table , most studies have focused on the treatment of inlet methanol concentrations ( C in ) below 5 g m −3 , while only three experiments have reported results above 10 g m −3 . Actually, among those three studies, only one (with different aspects reported in two references), truly reflects the biological degradation of methanol during steady state operation . In one of the other studies, as reported by the authors, high methanol concentrations were only applied as part of a shock‐load test, without mirroring biofilter performance under extended high loads .…”