Behaviour and optimization of a novel monolith bioreactor for wasre gas treatment

Abstract

[Abstract] Treatment of waste gases in bioreactors is cost-effective and environmental-friendly compared to the conventional techniques used for treating large flow rates of gas streams with low concentrations of pollutants. Nowadays, significant research is dedicated at the development of new bioreactor configurations, improved biocatalysts or new packing materials, among others. In the present study, a novel bioreactor packed with ceramic monolith was developed for treating VOCs (toluene or methanol) polluted air. Operational parameters that were considered included start-up of the bioreactor, inlet loading, changes in gas flow rate, liquid feed mode, and monolith blockage and biomass growth. Preliminary data on performance and stability have been obtained showing that this system can efficiently be used for waste gas treatment.