Adsorption of methyl tert-butyl ether using granular activated carbon: Equilibrium and kinetic analysis

The adsorption of methyl tert-butyl ether by granular activated carbon was investigated. The experimental data were analyzed using the Freundlich isotherm and the Langmuir isotherm. Although equilibrium data were found to follow Freundlich isotherm model, it were fitted better by the Langmuir model with a maximum adsorption capacity of 204.1 mg/g. The kinetic data obtained at different concentrations were analyzed to predict the constant rate of adsorption using three common kinetic models: pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order equation and intraparticle diffusion equation. The pseudo-second-order model was suitable for describing the adsorption kinetics for the removal of methyl tert-butyl ether from aqueous solution onto granular activated carbon. Both the Lagergren first-order rate constant k ₁ and pseudo-second-order rate constant k ₂ decrease with increasing initial concentrations of methyl tert-butyl ether and the intraparticle diffusion rate constant k _p shows the reverse characteristic. Analysis of sorption data using a boyd plot confirmed that external mass transfer is the main rate-limiting step at the initial stage of adsorption. Results illustrate that granular activated carbon is an effective adsorbent for methyl tert-butyl ether and also provide specific guidance into adsorption of methyl tert-butyl ether on granular activated carbon in contaminated groundwater.     

Hydrogen isotopic fractionation of petroleum hydrocarbons during vaporization: implications for assessing artificial and natural remediation of petroleum contamination

Compound-specific H isotope analysis has been used to monitor bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons. However, the success of this approach requires a full evaluation of the isotopic effects resulting from evaporation, because light petroleum hydrocarbons undergo both biodegradation and evaporation under natural conditions. The authors determined the H isotope fractionation of common volatile petroleum hydrocarbons, including the C₁₀–C₁₄ n-alkanes, MTBE (tert-butyl methyl ether), and BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, p-xylene and o-xylene) during progressive vaporization under simulated experimental conditions. A decrease in δD values for n-alkanes of up to 33.3‰ and up to 44.5‰ for BTEX compounds when 99% of these substances had evaporated was observed. The results also show that H isotope fractionation increases with n-alkane chain length. Such fractionation patterns are interpreted in terms of competition between the decreased intermolecular binding energy in D-enriched species, and the isotope effect due to the mass difference. In contrast to hydrocarbons, methanol and ethanol show H isotopic enrichment during vaporization, indicating that H-bonding, when present in organic molecules, plays a controlling role on the vapor pressure of different isotope species.     

Surface characterization of maize-straw-derived biochars and their sorption performance for MTBE and benzene

Biochars generated at various temperatures might show significant differences in sorption for organic contaminants. In this study, a series of biochars, generated from pyrolyzing maize straws at different temperatures, were systematically characterized. The characterization results showed that with increasing pyrolysis temperature, the surface areas, micropore areas and aromaticity of biochars were enhanced. Batch experiments were conducted to study methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and benzene sorption to biochars. The results indicated that the sorption capacity of benzene to biochars was higher than that of MTBE. The higher pyrolyzed temperature of biochars resulted in a stronger sorption affinity for target compounds, and the dominant sorption mechanisms varied for biochars pyrolyzed at different temperatures. The sorption to biochars pyrolyzed at 700 and 800 °C performed a high adsorption capacity, which indicated that they might be a promising sorbent to remove MTBE and benzene from water. Biochar pyrolyzed at 400 °C showed transitional sorption mechanisms from partition to adsorption for MTBE and benzene. Pore-filling was a possible sorption mechanism to biochars pyrolyzed at high temperature.     

Semivolatile organic compounds removal and health risk reduction in drinking water treatment biofilters applying different backwashing strategies

This study aimed to investigate the removal of 24 semivolatile organic compounds in Yangtze River (China) source water treated by six biofilters using different backwashing methods. Health risks induced by the pollutants in the influent and effluent water were also assessed based on the chemical detections. Comparatively, the biofilter backwashed with both air (15?m/h, 3?min) and water (8?m/h, 5?min) was most efficient in removing semivolatile organic compounds and reducing health risk. PCR-denatured gradient gel electrophoresis showed that backwashing alterations posed considerable influences on microbial community structure in the six biofilters. About 72.4?% of di-n-butyl phthalate and 81.8?% of bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (two main semivolatile organic compounds in the river water) were removed under the optimal backwashing conditions. However, in the effluent of each biofilter, non-carcinogenetic risks of 2,6-dinitrotoluene and bis[2-ethylhexyl]phthalate and carcinogenetic risks of dibenz[a,h]anthracene and benzo[a]pyrene did not reach safety levels, revealing that these pollutants in the source water deserve more public health concerns. This study might serve as a basis for biofiltration process optimization and also as a benchmark for the authorities to reduce the health risk induced by exposure to the hazardous pollutants.     

Reductive dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by ultrasound-assisted chemical process (UACP)

The dechlorination of aqueous polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) using the ultrasound-assisted chemical process (UACP), which is a combination of ultrasonic irradiation and radical generations using di-tert-butyl peroxide as a radical initiator and ferrous ion as a catalyst at moderate temperature in alkaline 2-propanol, was demonstrated with a high reduction of PCBs. A commercial PCB-containing compound, Aroclor 1260, was also decomposed with the removal efficiency of 97 % achieved within 3 h of UACP. The gas chromatograph was used as a quantitative method to measure the decomposition rate of PCBs. The competitive elimination among the ortho (2-position), meta (3-position), and para (4-position) chlorine atoms of PCB was also identified.     

Anoxygenic phototrophic bacterial diversity within wastewater stabilization plant during ‘red water’ phenomenon

The molecular diversity of the purple photosynthetic bacteria was assessed during temporal pigmentation changes in four interconnected wastewater stabilization ponds treating domestic wastewater by denaturant gel gradient electrophoresis method applying pufM gene. Results revealed high phylogenetic diversity of the purple phototrophic anoxygenic bacteria community characterized by the presence of the purple non-sulfur, purple sulfur, and purple aerobic photosynthetic anoxygenic bacteria. This phototrophic bacterial assemblage was dominated by the purple non-sulfur bacteria group (59.3 %) with six different genera followed by the purple sulfur community (27.8 %) with four genera and finally 12.9 % of the pufM gene sequences were assigned throughout the aerobic anoxygenic phototrophic bacterial group. The purple phototrophic bacterial community was characterized by the presence of salt-dependant bacterial species belonging to the genus Marichromatium, Thiorhodococcus, Erythrobacter, and Roseobacter. The wastewater treatment plant performances were unsatisfactory, and the biological and chemical parameters suggested that the purple photosynthetic bloom was correlated with the eutrophic state.     

Methoxychlor bioremediation by defined consortium of environmental Streptomyces strains

Methoxychlor is an organochlorine pesticide used worldwide against several insect pests, resulting in human exposure. This pesticide mimics endocrine hormone functions, interfering with normal endocrine activity in humans and wildlife. For this reason, it is imperative to develop methods to remove this pesticide from the environment, and though, bioremediation using microorganisms results as an excellent strategy. Five Streptomyces spp. strains previously isolated from organochlorine-polluted sites and capable to grow and remove methoxychlor were combined as different mixed cultures to increase methoxychlor removal. From the 39 consortia tested, one consortium (Streptomyces spp. A6, A12, A14, M7) was selected because of its high pesticide removal and specific dechlorinase activity to be assayed on slurry and soil systems. This consortium showed higher biomass values (8.3 × 10⁶ ± 5.7 × 10⁵ CFU mL^?1) and methoxychlor removal (56.2 ± 2.3 %) on enriched slurry than in non-enriched slurry (7.3 × 10⁵ ± 1.2 × 10⁵ CFU mL^?1 and 45.6 ± 7.4 % of pesticide removal). In soil systems, Streptomyces consortium showed higher growth (1.0 × 10¹¹ ± 5.0 × 10¹⁰ CFU g^?1) than in enriched slurry, although differences in methoxychlor removal between both culture conditions were not statistically significant. Therefore, the selected Streptomyces consortium may be suitable for the development of in situ (soil) and ex situ (slurry bioreactor) bioremediation methods because of their potential to remove methoxychlor from different systems.     

Plasmid profile and curing analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa as metal resistant

The isolate Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibited resistance to heavy metals such as cadmium, chromium, nickel and lead. Plasmid DNA was isolated from P. aeruginosa and designated as pBC15. The size of the plasmid DNA was approximately 23 kb. Escherichia coli DH5α was transformed with plasmid pBC15 subsequired resistance to nickel and ampicillin. The same size of the plasmid was isolated from E. coli transformant and separated on 0.7 % agarose gel electrophoresis. The restriction analysis of pBC15 showed that the plasmid DNA has single site for Bam HI and Eco RI and three sites for Xho I which were compared with 1 Kb DNA and λ Hind III digest molecular markers. Therefore, the size of the plasmid DNA of pBC15 was confirmed to be 23 kb. Curing was carried out by ethidium bromide, acridine orange, novobiocin, sodium dodechyl sulphate and elevated temperature (40 °C). Transformation and curing results suggest that nickel and ampicillin resistance gene was conferred by plasmid DNA. Cadmium resistant gene was present on chromosomal DNA along with the gene for chromium resistance. Lead resistance gene was shown to be present on the chromosomal DNA rather than the plasmid DNA as the cured and uncured cultures remained similar in lead resistance. Therefore, the ability of P. aeruginosa resistant to nickel and ampicillin is plasmid mediated and transferable to other strains whereas cadmium, chromium and lead could be chromosomal encoded. The heavy metal and antibiotic resistances of P. aeruginosa can be used to exploit for clean up industrial wastewater and bioremediation of heavy metal contaminated soil.     

Enhancement of deltamethrin degradation by soil bioaugmentation with two different strains of Serratia marcescens

Deltamethrin is one of the most commonly used pyrethroid in agricultural practice in different geographic regions of the world. It is detected in many environments, especially in soil and water, and can exhibit toxic effect to human and other organisms. In this study, we describe two bacterial strains DeI-1 and DeI-2, isolated from soil, and both identified as Serratia marcescens based on profile of the fatty acid methyl esters, biochemical test, and 16S RNA gene analysis, which were shown to efficiently degrade deltamethrin. Degradation of deltamethrin in mineral salt medium (50 mg l^?1) proceeded by strains DeI-1 or DeI-2 reached the values of 88.3 or 82.8 % after 10 days, and DT50 was 2.8 or 4.0 days, respectively. Bioaugmentation of deltamethrin-contaminated non-sterile soils (100 mg kg^?1) with strains DeI-1 or DeI-2 (3 × 10⁶ cells g^?1 of soil) enhanced the disappearance rate of pyrethroid, and its DT50 was reduced by 44.9, 33.1, 44.4, and 58.2 days or 39.1, 25.8, 35.6, and 46.0 days in sandy, sandy loam, silty loam, and silty soils, respectively, in comparison with non-sterile soils with only indigenous microflora. The three-way ANOVA indicated that DT50 of deltamethrin was significantly (P < 0.01) affected by soil type, microflora presence, and inoculum, and the interaction between these factors. Generally, the lower content of clay and organic carbon in soil, the higher degradation rate of deltamethrin was observed. Obtained results show that both strains of S. marcescens may possess potential to be used in bioremediation of deltamethrin-contaminated soils.     

Effect of aeration on steady-state conditions in non- and partially aerated low-loaded biofilter

Excessive growth of biomass and retention of solids associated with air bubbles lead to bed clogging, which affects the biofilters?? performance. Two experiments were carried out in a submerged biofilter at the flow velocity of 0.5?m?h^?1, for an organic loading rate of 51?g C m^?3?h^?1 and a nitrogen loading rate of 13?g NH₄-N?m^?3?h^?1, one with the biofilter not aerated, the other with the biofilter partially aerated. The results showed that the higher head losses occurred in the upper section of the biofilter, where there was a greater biomass development and a higher removal of organic carbon, ammonia and solids, with the maximum allowed head loss being reached in 16 and 8?days. In any case, the steady-state conditions were achieved after 2?days and were interrupted on the tenth day of experiment E1 and on the fifth day of experiment E2. This allowed defining different operating cycles that enabled an average organic removal rate of 12.7?g C m^?3?h^?1 (27?%) and an average ammonia removal rate of 1.1?g NH4-N?m^?3?h^?1 (9?%) without aeration, and of 35.8?g C m^?3?h^?1 (76?%) and 6.3?g NH4-N?m^?3?h^?1 (51?%) with aeration. Regardless of the aeration conditions, more than 90?% of TOC and NH4-N removal occurred in the upper section. After the backwashing cycle, the biofilter returned to steady-state conditions in 6?h (without aeration) and 7?h (with aeration).     

Accumulation of short-chain fatty acids in an aquitard linked to anaerobic biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons

Investigation of a 17 m vertical profile of a silt and clay aquitard at a natural gas well site in Alberta, Canada revealed a contaminant plume of gas condensate, along with high concentrations of acetate, propionate and butyrate. The pattern of the distribution of these short-chain fatty acids in groundwater and sediment samples suggested that they have been produced by microorganisms in a process associated with degradation of the condensate hydrocarbons. It is suggested that, in certain zones, under water-saturated and/or anaerobic conditions, these acids were actively consumed by SO₄-reducing bacteria. Analyses of DNA extracts by denaturing gel gradient electrophoresis (DGGE) indicated that, compared to sediment samples collected from outside the condensate plume, contaminated samples tended to have fewer, but more strongly developed bands of DNA, which typically had closest affinities to known anaerobes, including species of Fe-reducing Geobacter, and SO₄-reducing Desulfosporosinus.     

Isolation of hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria from bilge oil contaminated water

Two bacterial strains, i.e. Pseudomonas mendocina and Ochrobactrum sp. were isolated from bilge oil contaminated water of Mormugao harbour, Goa, India and grown in a culture medium with hexadecane as the sole carbon source. Pseudomonas mendocina was used in further studies as it was the dominant strain. This strain effectively degraded tetradecane, hexadecane and octadecane leaving a residual concentration of about 73 %, 54 % and 40 % respectively in 120 h. Sequence analysis of the dominant bands from the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis profiles revealed the differences between the genera of bilge oil contaminated sea water and its enrichment culture on hexadecane indicating a shift in community structure based on the type of substrate available. Pseudomonas mendocina amplified for the following catabolic genes namely C23O, nid and ndo. Based on the catabolic gene study the potential of the bacterial strain isolated, i.e. Pseudomonas mendocina seems to be interesting as it will be able to degrade polyaromatic hydrocarbons as well. Physicochemical properties of Pseudomonas mendocina indicates production of exopolysaccharides based on the value of its isoelectric point.     

Isolation and identification of cadmium- and lead-resistant lactic acid bacteria for application as metal removing probiotic

The purpose of the present study was to isolate and identify the metal-resistant lactic acid bacteria from sediments of coastal aquaculture habitats for removal of cadmium and lead from ambience. Collected sediment samples were used to isolate the cadmium- and lead-resistant bacterial colonies by spread plate technique using agar media (De Man, Rogosa and Sharpe) supplemented with cadmium or lead at 50?mg/l. Isolates were identified by bacterial colony polymerase chain reaction and sequencing of 16S ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid. Metal removing probiotic was determined by characterizing the lactic acid yield in culture media, viability in fish intestine, metal-resistant and metal-removal efficiencies. 16S ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid sequencing data of five (Cd10, Cd11, Pb9, Pb12 and Pb18) and other all isolates clearly showed 99?% similarities to Enterococcus faecium and Bacillus cereus, respectively. The Pb12 exhibited higher lactic acid yield (180?mmol) than that of the remaining E. faecium strains and excellent viability without pathogenicity; therefore, further study was carried out using Pb12 strain. The selected Pb12 strain showed elevated metal resistant (minimum inhibitory concentrations 120 and 800?mg/l for cadmium and lead, respectively) and removal efficiencies [Cadmium 0.0377?mg/h/g and lead 0.0460?mg/h/g of cells (wet weight)]. From the viability and metal removal points of view, it can be concluded that isolated metal-resistant E. faecium Pb12 strains might be used as potential probiotic strains for removing heavy metals from fish intestinal milieu to control the progressive bioaccumulation of heavy metals in the fish.     

Sorption characteristics of ethyl <Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butyl ether to Chinese reference soils

As a gasoline additive, ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) has great market potential and its utilization might cause groundwater contamination problem. However, little research has been done on its sorption in soil. In this study, the sorption characteristics of ETBE to Chinese reference soils were studied in batch experiments. The results showed that the ETBE sorption to six soils can be described by linear sorption isotherm. The temperature influences the sorption process of ETBE to soils. The negative sorption enthalpy (ΔH < 0) indicated that the sorption process was exothermic. Furthermore, ΔH is in a range from −8 to −32 kJ/mol. This showed that van der Waals forces and other specific interactions happened simultaneously in the sorption process. With the increasing ionic strength, content of ETBE sorption to all soils decreased, which is probably also an indication of other sorption mechanisms besides ETBE partitioning into soil organic carbon.     

Antimicrobial resistance and prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase genes in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> from major rivers in Podhale,southern Poland

The aim of this study was to assess the antimicrobial resistance and the prevalence of genes determining the presence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) enzymes in Escherichia coli isolated from two major rivers of the Podhale region in southern Poland. In total, 196 E. coli isolates were analyzed—98 from each river—Bia?ka and Zakopianka, collected in 8 campaigns, over the period of two years. Antimicrobial resistance was assessed using disk diffusion method and PCR tests were conducted to detect the ESBL genes. In E. coli isolated from Bia?ka, the resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid was detected most frequently (54.08%) and ESBL was detected in 14.29% of strains. In strains isolated from Zakopianka, most frequent resistance was observed toward ticarcillin (51.02%), while ESBL was observed in 16.33% of isolates. In the total pool of isolates, the resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid was most frequent (48.98% of isolates) and ESBL producers comprised 15.30% of E. coli isolates derived from both rivers. Multidrug resistance was observed less frequently in strains derived from Bia?ka (4 isolates resistant to 10 and more antimicrobials) than from Zakopianka, where 10 isolates were resistant to 10 and more antibiotics. Out of the tested ESBL genes blaTEM was detected most frequently (45.4% of isolates), whereas blaCTX-M1 and blaCTX-M3 were recorded in one isolate.     

In situ biotreatment of acidic mine drainage using straw as sole substrate

Feasibility of using straw as sole substrate for in situ bioremediation of acidic mine drainage (AMD) was studied. The result showed that straw was more suitable than woodchips, which had been successfully used for bioremediating AMD at the source, for establishing bioremediation layer. The sulfate removal rate of rice straw treatment was almost two times higher than that of the woodchips treatment when the initial pH of the synthetic AMD was set to 3.0. Straw treatment may be more efficient at reducing sulfate than woodchips treatment under stressful conditions. The sulfate removal rate of the rice straw treatment increased from 8.67 to 21.77 mg L⁻¹ day⁻¹ when initial pH increased from 1 to 7 while the removal rate of woodchips treatment increased from 3.80 to 11.95 mg L⁻¹ day⁻¹. The sulfate removal rate of the rice straw treatment decreased from 13.93 to 9.91 mg L⁻¹ day⁻¹ when temperature decreased from 25 to 5°C while the removal rate of woodchips treatment decreased from 7.43 to 4.98 mg L⁻¹ day⁻¹. Differences in soluble organic carbon release between rice straw and woodchips led to the differences in bioremediation efficiency. Concentrations of Cu²⁺ maintained at low level in the column effluent during the whole bioremediation period. Cu²⁺ was removed by forming sulfide precipitates. Microbial community analysis showed that sulfate reducing bacteria in the bioremediation layer together with microorganisms capable of degrading rice straw caused the bioremediation of AMD. These findings have significant environmental implications in terms of in situ bioremediation of AMD using straw as sole substrate.     

Microbial community dynamics in the two-stage anaerobic digestion process of two-phase olive mill residue

The microbial communities in a two-stage anaerobic digestion process treating olive mill “solid” residues were studied by molecular identification techniques. The microbial species identification in the hydrolytic-acidogenic step and in the methanogenic step was carried out by polymerase chain reaction amplification of 16S ribosomal RNA genes, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, cloning, and sequencing. This study revealed that Firmicutes (from 31.1 to 61.1 %, average 42.1 %) mainly represented by Clostridiales, and the Chloroflexi (from 29.4 to 53.3 %, average 47.35 %) were the most abundant species for the hydrolytic-acidogenic reactor. Other microorganisms such as Gamma-Proteobacteria (Pseudomonas species as the major representative; from 3.9 to 9.7 %; average 5.7 %), Actinobacteria (from 1.0 to 10.2 %; average 4.6 %) and Bacteroidetes (from 1.1 to 3.1 %; average 1.7 %) were also detected. The methanogenic communities detected in the methanogenic reactor were mainly represented by members of the obligate acetotrophic methanogenic genus Methanosaeta. Methanosaeta was the crucial Archaea to obtain a high methane yield in the methanogenic stage.     

Holocene lake development and glacial-isostatic uplift at Lake Skallen and Lake Oyako,Lützow-Holm Bay,East Antarctica: Based on biogeochemical facies and molecular signatures

The paleolimnology of two lakes which were isolated as a result of the crustal uplift during the late Holocene along the Soya Coast, Lützow-Holm Bay, East Antarctica were studied. The focus was on temporal variations in the biogeochemical composition of sediment cores recovered from Lake Skallen at Skallen and Lake Oyako at Skarvsnes. Both sets of lake sediments record environmental changes associated with a transition from marine to lacustrine settings, as indicated by analyses of C and N contents, nitrogen isotopic compositions (δ¹⁵N), and major element concentrations. Changes in the dominant primary producers during the marine–lacustrine transition (marine diatom to cyanobacteria) at L. Skallen was clearly revealed by biogenic opal-A, diatom assemblages, and molecular signature from denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) with 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene analysis. Radiocarbon dating of acid-insoluble organic C suggested that the environmental transition from marine to fresh water occurred at 2940 ± 100 cal yr BP at L. Skallen and 1060 ± 90 cal yr BP at L. Oyako. Based on these data, a mean crustal uplift rate of 3.2 mm yr⁻¹ is inferred for the history of marine–lacustrine transition via brackish conditions. The geological setting causing glacio-isostatic uplift was the primary factor in controlling the transition event in sedimentary and biological facies.     

Controls on alkenone unsaturation ratios along the salinity gradient between the open ocean and the Baltic Sea

Alkenone unsaturation ratios of sedimentary lipids are used as a geochemical proxy for sea surface temperatures, and interest is growing in their potential as indicators of different water masses and possibly of salinity. We analyzed the abundance of unsaturated C₃₇ to C₃₈ ketones in lipid extracts of 57 surface sediment (0-1 cm) samples along a salinity gradient from 8 to 33 psu in the transition from the Skagerrak to the Baltic Sea (NW Europe). In addition to surface sediments, we analyzed alkenones in suspended particulate matter at 13 stations—over a gradient in salinity from 25 to 33 psu—during a bloom of the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi. Alkenones were detected in all samples (suspended matter and sediment) with variable contributions of the tetra-unsaturated C₃₇ alkenone compound (%C_37:4; range from 2 to 10% of total C₃₇ alkenone content). Comparing the alkenone unsaturation index (U₃₇^K′) and %C_37:4 data to climatological sea surface temperature and sea surface salinity data sets revealed that SST estimated from U₃₇^K′ of saline end members (samples from the Skagerrak) is in the general range of modern SST during bloom periods of haptophytes. At salinities below ∼30 psu %C_37:4 increases to above 5% and the unsaturation ratios cease to be related to climatological annual or seasonal sea surface temperatures. On the other hand, the %C_37:4 appears to be inversely and significantly correlated to salinity: Highest C_37:4 proportions in the inner Baltic Sea are caused by an unidentified organism, but in the transition area at salinities down to 10 psu, the producer apparently is E. huxleyi. The suspended matter data together with those from the water column support the hypothesis of changing biosynthesis of alkenones under salt stress by the coccolithophore E. huxleyi, but constrain the maximum of %C_37:4 attributable to salt stress to 10% of all C₃₇ alkenones.     

An intelligent neural network model for evaluating performance of immobilized cell biofilter treating hydrogen sulphide vapors

Biofiltration has shown to be a promising technique for handling malodours arising from process industries. The present investigation pertains to the removal of hydrogen sulphide in a lab scale biofilter packed with biomedia, encapsulated by sodium alginate and poly vinyl alcohol. The experimental data obtained under both steady state and shock loaded conditions were modelled using the basic principles of artificial neural networks. Artificial neural networks are powerful data driven modelling tools which has the potential to approximate and interpret complex input/output relationships based on the given sets of data matrix. A predictive computerised approach has been proposed to predict the performance parameters namely, removal efficiency and elimination capacity using inlet concentration, loading rate, flow rate and pressure drop as the input parameters to the artificial neural network model. Earlier, experiments from continuous operation in the biofilter showed removal efficiencies from 50 to 100 % at inlet loading rates varying up to 13 g H₂S/m³h. The internal network parameter of the artificial neural network model during simulation was selected using the 2^k factorial design and the best network topology for the model was thus estimated. The results showed that a multilayer network (4-4-2) with a back propagation algorithm was able to predict biofilter performance effectively with R² values of 0.9157 and 0.9965 for removal efficiency and elimination capacity in the test data. The proposed artificial neural network model for biofilter operation could be used as a potential alternative for knowledge based models through proper training and testing of the state variables.