Trichloroethene degradation in a two-step system by methylosinus trichosporium OB3b. Optimization of system performance: Use of formate and methane

The breakdown of dissolved TCE in a two‐step bioremediation system is described. In the first reactor, the organism Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b is grown; in the second reactor, consisting of three 17‐L column reactors in series, the cells degrade TCE. A special design allowed both for the additi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biotechnology and bioengineering 1999-04, Vol.63 (1), p.56-68
Main Authors: Sipkema, E. M., de Koning, W., Vlieg, J. E. T. Van Hylckama, Ganzeveld, K. J., Janssen, D. B., Beenackers, A. A. C. M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biodegradation of pollutants
Biodegradation, Environmental
Biological and medical sciences
Biotechnology
Biotechnology - instrumentation
Biotechnology - methods
Environment and pollution
Environmental Pollution - prevention & control
Formates - pharmacology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects
Kinetics
Methane - pharmacology
Methylococcaceae - growth & development
Methylococcaceae - metabolism
Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b
Models, Statistical
Regression Analysis
transformation capacity
trichloroethene
Trichloroethylene - metabolism
two-step bioreactor system
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Summary:The breakdown of dissolved TCE in a two‐step bioremediation system is described. In the first reactor, the organism Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b is grown; in the second reactor, consisting of three 17‐L column reactors in series, the cells degrade TCE. A special design allowed both for the addition of air (uG,s = 0.01–0.04 mm s−1) in the conversion reactor to prevent oxygen limitation while minimizing stripping of TCE, and for the use of methane as exogenous electron donor. In two‐step systems presented thus far, only formate was used (excess, 20 mM). We found formate additions could be reduced by 75% (15°C), whereas small amounts of methane (0.02–0.04 mol CH4/g cells) could replace formate and led to equally optimal results. Example calculations show that up to 90% reduction in operating cost of chemicals can be obtained by using methane instead of formate. A model was developed to describe each of the conditions studied: excess formate and optimal methane addition, suboptimal formate addition and suboptimal methane addition. Using parameters obtained from independent batch experiments, the model gives a very good description of the overall TCE conversion in the two‐step system. The system presented is flexible (oxygen/methane addition) and can easily be scaled up for field application. The model provides a tool for the design of an effective and low‐cost treatment system based on methane addition in the conversion reactor. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 63: 56–68, 1999.
ISSN:0006-3592
1097-0290
DOI:10.1002/(SICI)1097-0290(19990405)63:1<56::AID-BIT6>3.0.CO;2-F