Removal of a Mixture of Seven Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Using an Industrial Pilot-Scale Process Combining Absorption in Silicone Oil and Biological Regeneration in a Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactor (TPPB)

Margaux Lhuissier, Annabelle Couvert, Patrick Dabert, Abdeltif Amrane, Abdoulaye Kane, Jean-Luc Audic and Eric Dumont
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Margaux Lhuissier: Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes, CNRS, Université Rennes, ISCR—UMR 6226, 35000 Rennes, France
Annabelle Couvert: Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes, CNRS, Université Rennes, ISCR—UMR 6226, 35000 Rennes, France
Patrick Dabert: INRAE, UR 1466 OPAALE, 17 Avenue de Cucillé-CS 64427, 35044 Rennes, France
Abdeltif Amrane: Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes, CNRS, Université Rennes, ISCR—UMR 6226, 35000 Rennes, France
Abdoulaye Kane: UniLaSalle-Ecole des Métiers de l’Environnement, Campus de Ker Lann, 35170 Rennes, France
Jean-Luc Audic: Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes, CNRS, Université Rennes, ISCR—UMR 6226, 35000 Rennes, France
Eric Dumont: IMT Atlantique, CNRS, GEPEA, Nantes Université, UMR 6144, 44000 Nantes, France

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 13, 1-16

Abstract: The treatment of a synthetic polluted gas containing seven volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was studied using a pilot plant in real industrial conditions. The process combined VOC absorption in silicone oil (PolyDiMethylSiloxane, i.e., PDMS), a biological regeneration of the PDMS in a two-phase partitioning bioreactor (TPPB), and a phase separation including settling and centrifugation. The TPPB was operated at a water/PDMS volume ratio of 75/25. The VOCs treatment performance was efficient during the entire test, corresponding to 10 PDMS regeneration cycles. The analysis of the content of the aqueous phase and PDMS confirmed that VOCs are progressively degraded until mineralization. The nitrogen consumption and the characterization of the microorganisms highlighted possible anoxic functioning of the biomass within the first decanter. Moreover, although the absorption and biodegradation performances were very satisfactory, the separation of all phases, essential for the PDMS recycling, was problematic due to the production of biosurfactants by the microorganisms, leading to the formation of a stable emulsion and foaming episodes. As a consequence, the packed column showed slight fouling. However, no significant increase in the pressure drop of the packed bed, as well as no significant impact on VOC absorption efficiency was observed.

Keywords: absorption; silicone oil; two-phase partitioning bioreactor; volatile organic compound; biological degradation; emulsion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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