REMOVAL OF AIR-PHASE 1,2-DICHLOROETHANE IN A BIOFILTER: A COMPARISON OF COMETABOLISM USING PRE-LOADED PHENOL AND CONCURRENT PHENOL ADDITION

摘要

A laboratory investigation was performed to study the feasibility of using activated carbon pre-loaded with phenol as the base material in a biofilter used to remove air-phase 1,2-dichloroethane (DCA). Phenol has been shown to be a suitable cometaboliet in the aerobic decomposition of chlorinated organics. The DCA removals achieved with pre-loaded phenol were compared to removals achieved with concurrent phenol addition. Results of this study indicate that preloading of phenol may avoid the enzyme competition that causes the low removal of chlorinated organics normally achieved by air-phase biofilters. The technique of pre-loaded growth substrate requires further research and refinement.