Continuous aerobic degradation of dinitrotoluenes in packed bed reactors

摘要

Continuous 2,4-dinitrotoluene and 2,6-dinitrotoluene degradation by a mixed microbial culture immobilized on three different packing materials was studied. The packing materials applied were: expanded slate, perlite, polyurethane foam (PUF). Experiments were carried out in three packed bed reactors with a concurrent water-air flow under conditions of oxygen in excess. The loading rate was varied by changing the inlet 2,4-DNT or 2,6-DNT concentrations. The most efficient 2,4-DNT biodegradation as a single substrate was achieved with the PUF packing. While treating a mixture of DNTs, the removal efficiency of 2,4-DNT was strongly suppressed whereas that of 2,6-DNT increased.