Continuous two phase partitioning bioreactor (C-TPPB) for removal of xenobiotics: Design criteria

This paper proposes a new continuous two phase bioreactor (C-TPPB) configuration for the removal and degradation of xenobiotic compounds from wastewaters. The reactor is made of three principal parts: a tube side in which the wastewater flows; a polymeric membrane which constitutes the tube walls; a shell side, set as a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR), in which the xenobiotics are degraded by means of a bacterial population. A mathematical model for the system description was developed and validated by means of fitting using literature experimental data obtained from a similar configuration. Since the nature of the fitting parameters did not depend upon the particular set-up, such validation procedure was possible. A dimensionless analysis was also carried out by defining a modified Stenton (St’) and Damkohler (Da’) number in order to detect the C-TTPB design criteria. The removal of 4-NtiroPhenol was reported as a case study and an algorithm for a preliminary design procedure was developed.