A novel membrane process for autotrophic denitrification

<p>This research focused on the novel use of hollow fiber membranes for gas delivery in biological dentrification using hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria. Autotrophic denitrification is a biological process that reduces nitrate to nitrogen gas using an inorganic carbon source. Hydrogen gas is an electron donor and nitrate is the electron acceptor in the reaction. The specific research objectives were to:</p> <ul> <li>develop a mixed acclimated culture of hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria;</li> <li>evaluate biodegradation kinetics of the acclimated culture;</li> <li>evaluate hydrogen transfer characteristics of hollow fiber membrane modules;</li> </ul> <p> and</p> <ul> <li>demonstrate technical feasibility of a continuous bioreactor-membrane system for denitrification.</li> </ul> <p>The following kinetic coefficients were obtained: µ_m of 0.65 d^-1, Y of 0.78 mg cells/mg NO₃-N, and k_d of 0.04 d^-1. The nitrate utilization rate was determined to be 1.0 mg NO₃-N/mg biomass. The following mass transfer correlation can be used to design membrane modules for hydrogen dissolution into water:</p> <p>Sh = 2.68 Red_e/L^1.02Sc^0.33</p> <p>Continuous flow studies indicate that a stable biofilm can be developed in a packed bed reactor to remove nitrate using hydrogen as the electron donor. Hydrogen gas was successfully delivered to the reactor via the hollow fiber membrane gas transfer module without fouling. Dissolved hydrogen concentrations indicate that the system did not experience hydrogen limitations. Membrane gas delivery appears to be a viable technology for transferring hydrogen to water for autotrophic denitrificiation.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S. in Engineering

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Civil & Environmental Engineering

Year dc:date.available

2002

Author dc:creator

• Pierkiel, Agnieszka

Contributors dc:contributor

• Jahan, Kauser

• Autotrophic bacteria; Environmental chemistry
• Civil and Environmental Engineering

Repository record dc:identifier

https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/1498

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:rdw.rowan.edu:etd-2498