A Polyvinyl Chloride Hollow Membrane Biofilm Reactor for Autohydrogenotrophic Denitrification of Drinking Water

A novel polyvinyl chloride hollow fiber was used in a membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR) as bubbleless gas-permeable membrane of H₂ to remove nitrate from contaminated drinking water. The reactor was operated continuously over 103 days, and the results showed that the nitrate flux of 1.38 g/m²d was achieved at the influent nitrate concentration 20 mg NO₃ ^--N/L and HRT 75 min with the effluent nitrate and nitrite below limit values of drinking water. The hydrogen contents of 3.5% in headspace or 57 ¿g/L in the effluent were lower enough to preclude having an explosive air.