[BTF performance treating a chlorobenzene-contaminated gas stream]

In this study, biotrickling filter (BTF) inoculated with acclimated sludge was established to treat waste gas containing chlorobenzene. The BTF performance, average well color development (AWCD) values and microbial community were examined in steady state. Results revealed BTF achieved removal efficiency more than 80% of chlorobenzene under the conditions of < 0.6 g x m(-3) inlet concentration and > 45 s EBRT. Therefore, BTF have an advantage in treating low-concentration waste gas containing chlorobenzene (< or = 0.6 g x m(-3)). The overall chlorobenzene elimination capacity reached a maximum of 70 g x (m3 x h)(-1) at an inlet load of 80 g x (m3 x h)(-1). The mass ratio of carbon dioxide produced to the BTo-X removed was approximately 1.92, which confirms complete degradation of chlorobenzene, given that some of the organic carbon consumed is also used for the microbial growth. The degradation of chlorobenzene in the BTF followed Michaelis-Menten kinetic model, the maximum specific degradation rate (r(max)) was 35.6 g x (m3 x h)(-1). The AWCD values indicated that the microorganisms in the BTF showed high the microbial metabolic activity. The PCR-DGGE fingerprinting analysis on biofilm samples in the BTF indicated that the microbial community had a relative stability and complexity during the steady-state phase. The stability and complexity of microbial community could contribute to the degradation and mineralization of chlorobenzene in BTF.