Model description and kinetic parameter analysis of MTBE biodegradation in a packed bed reactor

Waul, Christopher Kevin; Arvin, Erik; Schmidt, Jens Ejbye

doi:10.1016/j.watres.2008.02.034

Cited by 9 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…As a result of the rapidly increasing production and consumption of unleaded gasoline in China [3], many groundwater sources for major Chinese cities will eventually be contaminated by MTBE because of its high water solubility, relatively low volatility, and low biodegradability. Although MTBE has been biodegraded by acclimated bacteria [8][9][10][11], it is unlikely that any form of biotreatment by itself can produce a treated effluent meeting the discharge limit of 20 lg/L or lower [12][13][14]. Although MTBE has been biodegraded by acclimated bacteria [8][9][10][11], it is unlikely that any form of biotreatment by itself can produce a treated effluent meeting the discharge limit of 20 lg/L or lower [12][13][14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Adsorption by granular activated carbon (GAC) in an adsorber is effective for removing MTBE [4,5]; however, it is a costly treatment option due to the need for frequent replacement of carbon [6] because of its small adsorptive capacity for MTBE (6 mg/g at an equilibrium concentration of 1 mg/L, Calgon F-400 [7]). Although MTBE has been biodegraded by acclimated bacteria [8][9][10][11], it is unlikely that any form of biotreatment by itself can produce a treated effluent meeting the discharge limit of 20 lg/L or lower [12][13][14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Removal of MTBE in biological activated carbon adsorbers

Huang

et al. 2012

Env Prog and Sustain Energy

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Methyl tert‐butyl ether (MTBE) is a common gasoline additive; it has become a groundwater pollutant in many countries. Granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorption treatment is not cost‐effective for removing MTBE because it is not well adsorbed. Acclimated MTBE degraders actively growing in the GAC adsorber will make it a biological activated carbon (BAC) system capable of long‐term MTBE removal without periodic GAC replacement. The conventional inoculation method of circulating a seeding solution of the MTBE degraders present in the spent GAC sample from a BAC system of a southern California MTBE remediation site failed to initiate the BAC function in treating a high MTBE influent (30 mg/L, simulating a newly contaminated groundwater); the effluent samples of inoculated coal and coconut GAC columns were nearly the same as those of the non‐inoculated columns. After a start‐up period of less than two months, the small GAC columns filled with new coconut GAC on top of the MTBE degrader containing spent GAC became effective BAC systems accomplishing more than 40% of MTBE removal from the high concentration (30 mg/L) influent and more than 80% of removal from the low concentration (1 mg/L) influent. When MTBE concentration of the influent declined steadily, the BAC capability prevented the sudden rise of MTBE in the effluent. A small dose of hydrogen peroxide provided the essential dissolved oxygen to sustain aerobic degradation of MTBE in the BAC; adding peroxide to the influents of two serial adsorbers is more efficient in treating newly contaminated groundwater. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 32: 239‐248, 2013

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Removal of MTBE in biological activated carbon adsorbers

Huang

et al. 2012

Env Prog and Sustain Energy

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“…In our work, we applied a least-squared analysis and evaluated parameter response surfaces according to the method of Waul et al (2008). Details of the analyses are given in the Supplementary Appendix.…”

Section: Predator Kineticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since we estimated all five model parameters related to predators at the same time, parameter uniqueness is important, since it is possible that different parameter combinations can give similar simulation accuracy. In our work, we applied a least-squared analysis and evaluated parameter response surfaces according to the method of Waul et al (2008). Details of the analyses are given in the Supplementary Appendix.…”

Section: Predator Kineticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling predation processes in activated sludge

Rittmann

2010

Biotech & Bioengineering

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Predation by protozoa plays an important role in activated sludge. In this work, the kinetics for protozoan predation of active bacteria (X(H)), extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), and intracellular storage products (X(STO)) are added into a previously expanded unified model that describes the dynamics of EPS, X(STO), and soluble microbial products (SMP). The new biomass growth-decay-predation model describes the biomass fractions, soluble organic components, and oxygen-uptake rates considering EPS, X(STO), and predators during dynamic operating conditions in activated sludge. Model calibration using batch experimental data provides the new parameter values for predation processes and insights into mechanisms involving predators. The calibrated value of the maximum specific growth rate for the predators is much slower than for the bacteria, confirming that predators are relatively slow growers. However, the predators and bacteria have similar decay rates and dissolved oxygen affinities. Model testing with results independent of the calibration data shows two things. First, the model and calibrated parameters accurately simulate the independent results when predators are present. Second, eliminating predation by high salinity significantly lowers the OUR, and this is captured by the model.

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“…Biomass inoculation was accomplished by adding MTBE degraders originally obtained from an MTBE contaminated aquifer in Leuna, Germany [34]. The reactor used in this work was similar to the one described in a previous study [35]. In addition, it was connected in series to the outlet of the previously described reactor.…”

Section: Packed Bed Reactormentioning

confidence: 99%