Biosorption of Mn (II), Co(II) and Cr (VI) in a horizontal rotating tubular bioreactor: Experiments and evaluation of the integral bioprocess model

Abstract

In this research, a multi heavy metals removal process with mixed microbial culture was examined in a horizontal rotating tubular bioreactor (HRTB) with different combinations of process parameters. Three metals were selected as examples of cations (manganese and cobalt) and oxy-anion (hexavalent chromium). Hydrodynamic conditions and biomass sorption capacity in the HRTB had the main impact on the heavy metals removal efficiencies, which were for Mn2+87.0-93.6%, Co2+89.0-95.7% and Cr6+99.7-100%, respectively. For the bioprocess description in the HRTB, the integral bioprocess model that combines hydrodynamics, mass transfer and kinetics was used. This model was evaluated for the new experimental conditions and average variances between experimental and simulated data were in the range of 0.12 - 3.21·10-3. The results obtained clearly show that the integral bioprocess model is able to describe the heavy metal removal process in the HRTB.