A novel immobilised bioreactor has been developed especially for the treatment of pollutants characterized by high volatility alongwith high water solubility and low microbial yields. The new bioreactor referred to as the rotating rope bioreactor (RRB) provides higher interfacial area (per unit reactor liquid volume) along with high oxygen mass transfer rate, greater microbial culture stability; and consequently higher substrate loadings and removal rates in comparison to other conventional rectors for the treatment of volatile compounds. Pyridine was used as a model compound to demonstrate the enhanced performance with RRB, when compared to that reported with other conventional bioreactors. The experimental results indicate that the novel RRB system is able to degrade pyridine with removal efficiency of more than 85% at higher pyridine concentration (up to 1000mg/l) and loading [up to 400mg/m(2)/h (66.86g/m(3)/h)], with a shorter hydraulic retention time (9-18h). The reactor has been in operation for the past 15months and no loss of activity has been observed.
Pyridine biodegradation in a novel rotating rope bioreactor. Publishing Authors By Initials