초록 ▼

The present invention provides a method for treating volatile hazardous air pollutant (VHAP) and volatile organic compound (VOC) waste products from gas streams. The system disclosed herein employs microporous hydrophobic membranes to remove VHAPs/VOCs from a gas stream into an oleophilic stripping

The present invention provides a method for treating volatile hazardous air pollutant (VHAP) and volatile organic compound (VOC) waste products from gas streams. The system disclosed herein employs microporous hydrophobic membranes to remove VHAPs/VOCs from a gas stream into an oleophilic stripping fluid. The stripping fluid is directed into a separate biomembrane reactor wherein the VHAPs/VOCs are transferred across a second microporous hydrophobic membrane into an aqueous nutrient medium, where the extracted VHAPs/VOCs are degraded by microorganisms residing on the surface of the membrane. VHAPs/VOCs are degraded to carbon dioxide, water, and cell debris. The disclosed system uncouples biotreatment from waste generation, such that operation of the biotreatment unit can be continuous and optimized independently of plant work schedules or fluctuations in pollutant concentrations entering the system.

대표청구항 ▼

[ That which is claimed:] [1.] A process for removing a volatile organic compound from a gas stream, said process comprising the steps of:providing a gas stream containing a volatile organic compound therein to a separation module, said separation module having a gas stream inlet opening, a gas stre

[ That which is claimed:] [1.] A process for removing a volatile organic compound from a gas stream, said process comprising the steps of:providing a gas stream containing a volatile organic compound therein to a separation module, said separation module having a gas stream inlet opening, a gas stream outlet opening, and a gas stream channel therebetween, said separation module containing a first microporous hydrophobic membrane;extracting said volatile organic compound across said first microporous hydrophobic membrane into a lean stripping fluid to produce a loaded stripping fluid;providing said loaded stripping fluid to a treatment module, said treatment module comprising a second microporous hydrophobic membrane having first and second opposing surface portions, with said loaded stripping fluid contacting said first surface portion, and with microorganisms immobilized on said second surface portion, said treatment module having a nutrient medium inlet opening and a nutrient medium outlet opening formed therein, a nutrient medium being provided to said microorganisms in said treatment module by said nutrient medium inlet opening;extracting said volatile organic compound from said loaded stripping fluid across said second microporous hydrophobic membrane to said microorganisms to produce a lean stripping fluid;degrading said volatile organic compound extracted across said second microporous hydrophobic membrane with said microorganisms.