Biodegradation of n-hexane as single pollutant and in a mixture with BTEX in a scoria/compost-based biofilter

Abstract

This study evaluated the biodegradation of n-hexane as single pollutant, and in a mixture with benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) in a scoria/compost-based biofilter. Initially, the biofilter was fed with n-hexane and maximum elimination capacities (ECmax) of 10.7 and 8.1 g m−3 h−1 were obtained for inlet loading rates (ILR) of 14.0 and 11.6 g m−3 h−1 at empty bed retention times (EBRT) of 138 and 108 s, respectively. Michaelis–Menten kinetic model was well fitted to the experimental EC of n-hexane in the single pollutant condition. In the presence of BTEX, the removal efficiency of n-hexane dramatically decreased from 76 to 21% at EBRT of 108 s. In this condition, BTEX was easily degraded with an ECmax of 110.6 g m−3 h−1 for ILR of 119.1 g m−3 h−1. A competitive inhibition kinetic well described the n-hexane removal in the presence of BTEX with an inhibition constant of 0.151 g m−3. Moreover, the interaction index of benzene with the addition of BTEX was −0.702, indicating the significant inhibitory effect of BTEX on n-hexane biodegradation. This study revealed that, in the biofiltration of n-hexane/BTEX mixture, a significant decrease in BTEX concentration is a prerequisite for the efficient removal of n-hexane. © 2017 Institution of Chemical Engineers