抄録
BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene) hydrocarbons have a high toxicity and are major VOCs (Volatile organic compounds) in contaminated gas from the specific pollutant sources. Biological treatment of BTEX from contaminated gas containing has been considered more economical and environmental technique than the conventional physical or chemical treatments. In this study, the effectiveness of the direct aeration treatment system using specific BTEX-degrading bacteria was investigated. The o-xylene contaminated air was readily degraded through the aeration tank containing o-xylene-degrading bacteria (strain TKN14) in the laboratory scale. Whereas all of gaseous BTEX from gasoline-contaminated soil were degraded readily by the aeration tank feeding with effective microorganisms derived from the contaminated soil and strain TKN14, two weeks were needed to start the effective biodegradation of gaseous o-xylene when only contaminated soil were fed in the aeration tank at the beginning of the treatment. The direct aeration system has an ability to purify contaminated gas with the loading aromatic hydrocarbons of 20mg L-1 h-1. The results of feasibility study suggest that biological treatment using the direct aeration system is useful for removal of BTEX from contaminated gas.
