Potential application of an Aspergillus strain in a pilot biofilter for benzene biodegradation

Abstract

A biofilter with fungus was developed for efficient degradation of benzene, which can overcome the potential risk of leakage commonly found in such services. Results indicated that the optimum parameter values were temperature 40 °C, pH 6, and 500 mg L−1 of the initial benzene concentration. Besides, the empty bed residence time and inlet load range of biofilter were set to 20 s and 21.23–169.84 g m−3 h−1 respectively. Under these conditions, this biofilter can obtain the maximum removal efficiency of more than 90%, the eliminating capacity could be up to 151.67 g m−3 h−1. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate three filler materials for packing fungus biofilm. This is the first study introducing an Aspergillus strain for benzene removal and these results highlight that the development of this biofilter has the potential scaling-up application as gas-processing of industrial wastes.

A review on biofiltration techniques: recent advancements in the removal of volatile organic compounds and heavy metals in the treatment of polluted water

“…and Hyphomicrobium sp. 12.68 g m −3 h −1 n -hexane and 30.28 g m −3 h −1 dichloromethane [ 135 ] n -Hexane Biofiltration Fungal biomass 3000 CFU/ml (optimum biomass) [ 136 ] Benzene Biofiltration Aspergillus 151.67 g m −3 h −1 [ 137 ] Cyclo hexane and methyl acetate Biotrickling filtration Ochrobactrum intermedium 100% [ 138 ] Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), methanethiol, dimethyl sulfide, and dimethyl disulfide Biotrickling filtration Acidithiobacillus , Metallibacterium , and Thionomas 90.1%, 88.4%, 85.8%, and 61.8% [ 139 ] 2,5-Dimethylpyrazine Biofiltration Fusarium solani 8.5 g m −3 h −1 [ 140 ] Toluene Biofiltration Scedosporium apiospermum 258 g m −3 h −1 [ 141 ] Phenol Biofilter Anaerobic microorganisms >85% [ 142 ] Phenol Biodegradation Acinetobacter sp., Pseudomonas sp., Nitrospira sp., Rubrivivax sp. ~100% [ …”