Biosorption of 2,4-dichlorophenol from aqueous solutions by immobilized Phanerochaete chrysosporium biomass in a fixed-bed column

The continuous-flow adsorption of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) from aqueous solution by immobilized Phanerochaete chrysosporium biomass in a fixed-bed column was studied. The effects of flow rate, influent concentration of 2,4-DCP and bed depth on breakthrough curves and biosorption capacity were investigated. The experimental results showed that the breakthrough time decreased with increasing flow rate, increasing influent concentration and decreasing bed depth. The data also indicated that the equilibrium uptake of 2,4-DCP increased with decreasing flow rate and increasing influent concentration of 2,4-DCP. Two models were employed to predict the breakthrough curves and to determine the characteristic parameters of the column useful for column design. The Thomas model was able to predict the breakthrough curve in the range of relative concentration (Ce/Ci) higher than 0.3, whereas the validity of the Bohart-Admas model was limited to the initial part of breakthrough curve at all flow rates and influent concentrations of 2,4-DCP studied. The feasibility of reusing the immobilized fungal beads through five adsorption/desorption cycles in fixed-bed column was investigated.