Studies on growth kinetics of predominantly Pseudomonas sp. in internal loop airlift bioreactor using phenol and m-cresol

Growth profile of predominantly Pseudomonas species was studied using wastewater containing phenol and m-cresol, as single and multi component systems in an internal loop airlift bioreactor (ILALR). The species utilized for the study was isolated from a wastewater treatment plant. The reactor was operated at both lower and higher hydraulic retention time (HRTs), 4.1 h and 8.3 h, respectively. The inlet phenol and concentration was varied between 100 and 800 mg/L with 800 mg/L as shock loading concentration for an HRT of 8.3 h. For 4.1 h HRT, the concentration was varied 100 and 500 mg/L using 500 mg/L as a shock loading concentration. The study showed complete degradation of both phenol and m-cresol, when present individually at an HRT of 8.3 h with an enriched biomass output. The specific growth rate of the culture at various phenol and m-cresol concentrations was fitted to a Monod model. The biokinetics value showed good potential of Pseudomonas species employing the internal loop air lift bioreactor in utilizing high strength phenolics containing wastewater. Culture growth profile with both phenol and m-cresol as mixtures also showed decreased lag times with complete utilization of the phenolics.