Dissolution and Biokinetics of PCL in Denitrification Systems

This thesis investigates the potential of polycaprolactone (PCL), a biodegradable polymer, as a sustainable solid-phase carbon source for wastewater denitrification. Laboratory experiments examined the effects of temperature, bead mass, solvent type, hydraulic retention time, and bead reuse on PCL dissolution and soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) release. The dissolution behavior was represented using a modified Noyes-Whitney model, which was calibrated to capture the kinetics and predict carbon release over time. Many previous studies have overlooked the dissolution step, potentially leading to misinterpretations of rate limitation as low biological activity. Complementary biological experiments compared PCL and methanol in terms of biomass yield and maximum specific growth rate (μmax), showing comparable performance between the two. The combined results provide mechanistic understanding of PCL dissolution and biological utilization, confirming its promise as a reliable and sustainable alternative carbon source for nitrate removal in wastewater treatment systems.

Name thesis:degree_name

M Eng Sci

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

The University of Western Ontario

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Barkhordari, Dorsa

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Santoro, Domenico

• Polycaprolactone (PCL)
• Solid-phase denitrification
• Denitrification
• Biodegradable plastics
• Wastewater treatment
• Dissolution kinetics
• Noyes-Whitney model
• Soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD)
• Methanol
• Biomass yield
• Maximum specific growth rate

Statement dc:rights

• Attribution 4.0 International

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14721/39356

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:uwo.scholaris.ca:20.500.14721/39356