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Comparison of air-borne xylene biodegradation between immobilized-cell biofilter and biofilm attached biofilter

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Journal of Shanghai University (English Edition)

Abstract

The Bacillus firmus was immobilized into Ca-alginate beads according to the different initial biomass concentration, calcification time and activation time. Three types of immobilized Bacillus firmus beads were packed respectively in trickling biofilter to purify xylene contained waste gases, and the performance of immobilized-cell biofilter was compared with traditional biofilm attached biofilter packed with two types of ceramic pellets. The results showed that three types of immobilized beads had different capabilities for removing xylene and life-spans. Higher initial biomass in immobilized beads resulted in better performance but shorter life-span. Activation process can remarkably enhance the activity of bacteria, and the removal efficiency of xylene can substantially be improved. Calcification time had influence on life-span of immobilized beads. Without acclimation, the cell-entrapped biofilter can obtain the maximum elimination capacity of 92.4 g/(m3·h). However, compared with biofilm attached biofilter, it has a poorer intrinsic drawback in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) removal due to the existence of excess mass transfer resistance.

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Correspondence to Liu Qiang  (刘 强).

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Project supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China (Grant No.50608049), and the Shanghai Leading Academic Disciplines (Grant No.T105), and the Youth Development Foundation of Shanghai Municipal Commission of Education (Grant No.04AC107)

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Liu, Q., Liu, Xj., Babajide, A.E. et al. Comparison of air-borne xylene biodegradation between immobilized-cell biofilter and biofilm attached biofilter. J. of Shanghai Univ. 11, 514–520 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11741-007-0515-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11741-007-0515-3

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