Author(s)

E. Conde, J. Alba, E. Lopez & F. Perez-Guevara

Abstract

Removal of complex mixtures of VOC (thinner) from waste air and establishment of the evolution of microbial consortium during biofiltration process E. Conde\ J. Alba\ E. Lopez* & F. Perez-Guevara' 'Centro de Investigation y Estudios Avanzados LP.N. Depto. de Abstract Biofiltration is a biotechnological process used to treat air polluted with volatile organic compounds (VOC). Paint thinner is a commercial mixture of VOC used in many industrial processes. In this study a microbial consortium adapted to consume paint thinner as sole carbon and energy source was selected. Conventional microbiological techniques were conducted to identify Bacillus subtilis, B sphaericcus, B schleggelli, B. brevis, Micrococcus luteus and Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes as constituents of the consortium. The compatibility between support material (rice hulls) and microbial consortium was evaluated by microcosms experiments. Biodegradation studies were conducted in microcosms in liquid as

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