A stable microbial consortium that grew on nitrobenzene (NB) as its sole source of carbon, nitrogen and energy and liberated excess nitrogen as ammonia, was immobilized on a perlite-packed trickling air biofilter. On a sustained basis, the biofilter removed 50 g NB m−3 packing h−1 and its operation at pH 8.7 resulted in ammonia stripping, making pH and salinity controls unnecessary. Low maintenance and stable performance during 4 months of continuous operation invite the scale-up of this biofilter for control of NB emissions.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received 12 September 1996/ Accepted in revised form 17 December 1996
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Oh, YS., Bartha, R. Removal of nitrobenzene vapors by a trickling air biofilter. J Ind Microbiol Biotech 18, 293–296 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jim.2900384
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jim.2900384