Biotreatment of Gaseous-Phase Volatile Organic Compounds

Abstract

Past disposal of volatile organic solvents has resulted in contamination of soils at U.S. Army installations. Technologies that involve volatilizing or air stripping contaminants from contaminated soils are used for remediation of these sites. The resulting stream of gaseous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) must be treated before the air stream is released to the atmosphere. Thermal treatment or carbon adsorption of gaseous VOCs is effective but expensive. The present study was conducted to evaluate the utility of using fixed populations of VOC-degrading microorganisms to destroy (mineralize to inorganic products) gaseous VOCs. This technology holds potential as a cost effective alternative or supplement to thermal treatment or carbon adsorption. The VOCs investigated include benzene, carbon tetrachloride, chlorobenzene, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), toluene, and trichloroethylene (TCE).

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 31, 1990
Accession Number
ADA234570

Entities

People

  • D. Orvos
  • P. J. Marks
  • P. S. Ziegenfuss
  • R. T. Williams

Organizations

  • Weston Solutions (United States)

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Flow
  • Bacteria
  • Biodegradation
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Carbon Tetrachloride
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Ecotoxicology
  • Environment
  • Experimental Design
  • Fungi
  • Hazardous Materials
  • Microorganisms
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Organic Compounds
  • United States
  • Volatile Organic Compounds

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Groundwater Contamination Remediation.