Recommended Citation
Postprint version. Published in Journal of Environmental Engineering, Volume 119, Issue 5, September 1, 1993, pages 890-907.
NOTE: At the time of publication, the author Yarrow Nelson was not yet affiliated with Cal Poly.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9372(1993)119:5(890).
Abstract
Methanotrophic degradation of vinyl chloride (VC) is investigated using a laboratory-scale methanotrophic attached-film expanded-bed (MAFEB) bioreactor. This study provides a basis for applying a microbial cometabolizing reaction to practical treatment of toxic chlorinated compounds. The MAFEB reactor was operated at 20°C with influent VC concentrations ranging from 1,800 to 9,600 µg/L and bed hydraulic retention times ranging from 3.7 to 7.6 h. VC effluent concentrations during steady continuous operation ranged from 3 to 140 µg/L, with most values less than 26 µg/L, resulting in removal efficiencies of 96.3% to 99.8%. The maximum continuous-flow VC degradation rate observed at 20°C was 2.5 mg VC per gram volatile solids (VS) per day [2.5 mg VC/(g VS d)] or 30 mg VC per liter expanded bed per day 30 mg VC/Leb d), under substrate-limited conditions. During semibatch runs at 35°C, vinyl chloride degradation rates up to 60 mg VC/ (g VS d) or 1 g/(Leb d) were observed. Degradation rates increased with temperature between 20°C and 35°C, approximately doubling every 10°C. Dissolved methane concentrations above 0.5 mg/L inhibited VC degradation, with no VC degradation observed with 8 mg/L dissolved methane. The methane consumed during VC degradation was about 40 g CH4/g VC. Toxic effects were observed after prolonged exposure of the methanotrophic culture to high concentrations of VC.
Disciplines
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Copyright
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cenv_fac/121