Masters Theses
Abstract
"Two membrane biofiltration systems that overcome many limitations of conventional compost biolfilters were investigated. A single natural rubber latex tubing and three polysulphone hollow fiber membrane modules (HFMM) were used to examine the biofiltration of gaseous benzene and butanol.
Poor mass closures of benzene (60-80%) were observed in the HFMM systems. The maximum abiotic mass flux attained was 0.01 mg min-1 m-2 (0.004 mg min-1). Operated as a biofilter, the mass closure was close to 100% while removal was not observed. It was determined experimentally that polysulphone was not chemically compatible with benzene, probably due to sorption of benzene into the membrane.
A 95% or greater mass closure was observed with butanol. The highest abiotic mass flux was 1.6 mg min-1 m-2 (0.48 mg min-1). The HFMM was operated for 46 days as a biofilter and achieved removals of 99%. A theoretical model was developed to predict the observed trends in biological removal of butanol due to changes in gas concentrations.
The natural rubber latex tubing was operated with benzene as a bioreactor for 68 days. The maximum removal observed was 40%, with a mass flux of about 0.4 mg min-1 m-2 , higher than the abiotic mass flux of about 0.15 mg min-1 m-2 under the same operating conditions. However, compared with the removal of 80% achieved previously by Neemann (1998) with the same tubing, the removal in this work appeared much lower, possibly due to aging of the tubing"--Abstract, page iii.
Advisor(s)
Fitch, Mark W.
Committee Member(s)
Burken, Joel G. (Joel Gerard)
Forciniti, Daniel
Department(s)
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Degree Name
M.S. in Environmental Engineering
Publisher
University of Missouri--Rolla
Publication Date
Spring 2000
Pagination
x, 131 pages
Note about bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 125-130).
Rights
© 2000 Bo Zhang, All rights reserved.
Document Type
Thesis - Restricted Access
File Type
text
Language
English
Thesis Number
T 7716
Print OCLC #
43932652
Electronic OCLC #
1105932243
Recommended Citation
Zhang, Bo, "Hollow fiber membrane biofiltration for removal of gaseous VOCs" (2000). Masters Theses. 1900.
https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/masters_theses/1900
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