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Solid–liquid two-phase partitioning bioreactors (TPPBs) operated with waste polymers. Case study: 2,4-dichlorophenol biodegradation with used automobile tires as the partitioning phase

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Abstract

Used automobile tire pieces were tested for their suitability as the sequestering phase in a two-phase partitioning bioreactor to treat 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP). Abiotic sorption tests and equilibrium partitioning tests confirmed that tire “crumble” possesses very favourable properties for this application with DCP diffusivity (4.8 × 10−8 cm2/s) and partition coefficient (31) values comparable to those of commercially available polymers. Biodegradation tests further validated the effectiveness of using waste tires to detoxify a DCP solution, and allow for enhanced biodegradation compared to conventional single-phase operation. These results establish the potential of using a low-cost waste material to assist in the bioremediation of a toxic aqueous contaminant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Water Research Institute, C.N.R, Via Salaria km 29,300 C.P. 10, 00015, Monterotondo Stazione, Rome, Italy

    M. Concetta Tomei

  2. Department of Chemical Engineering Materials Environment, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184, Rome, Italy

    M. Cristina Annesini

  3. Department of Chemical Engineering, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada

    Andrew J. Daugulis

Authors
  1. M. Concetta Tomei
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  2. M. Cristina Annesini
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  3. Andrew J. Daugulis
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to M. Concetta Tomei or Andrew J. Daugulis.

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Tomei, M.C., Annesini, M.C. & Daugulis, A.J. Solid–liquid two-phase partitioning bioreactors (TPPBs) operated with waste polymers. Case study: 2,4-dichlorophenol biodegradation with used automobile tires as the partitioning phase. Biotechnol Lett 34, 2037–2042 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-012-1013-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-012-1013-5

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