Biofiltration of trimethylamine-containing waste gas by entrapped mixed microbial cells

The study provides novel attempt to use an aerobic biofiltration system containing entrapped mixed microbial cells (EMMC) for removal of (CH3)3N-dominant waste gases. In the study, heterotrophic microflora-immobilized cellulose was packed into an EMMC reactor to degrade (CH3)3N. Effects of (CH3)3N inlet concentrations in continuous mode of operation at various flow rates are indicated. The result indicated that the (CH3)3N removal efficiency is higher than 90% at inlet loading below 27.2 mg N h−1 and retention time 5.3 min. In addition, the maximal mass loading to reach approximately 99% efficiency was 95.5 mg N h−1 for trimethylamine treatment. This EMMC biofiltration system also showed higher tolerance to endure fluctuations in concentrations and flow rates and still maintained in stable performance for removal. Adaptability test in response to gradual shift up and down of inlet TMA loading indicated that lack of steady-state multiplicity and hysteresis guarantees the microbial communities more precisely adapted to continuous treatment for maintaining stability.