Efficient bio-deodorization of aniline vapor in a biotrickling filter: Metabolic mineralization and bacterial community analysis

A biotrickling filter inoculated with commercial mixed microorganisms B350 was employed to treat N-containing odorous vapor – aniline. Results indicated no aniline could be detected when empty bed residence time (EBRT) was larger than 110 s at inlet concentration of 0.30 g m−3. The variation of inlet concentration did not change removal efficiencies when concentration is less than 0.21 g m−3 at fixed EBRT 110 s. Biodegradation mechanism of aniline was tentatively proposed based on identified intermediates and predicted biodegradation pathway as well as final mineralized products. Aniline was firstly biodegraded to catechol, and then to levulinic acid and subsequently to succinic acid. Finally, about 62% aniline carbon was completely mineralized to CO2, while about 91% aniline nitrogen was converted into ammonia and nitrate. Bacterial community in biotrickling filter was found that at least seven bands microbes were identified for high efficiencies of bioreactor at stable state. In all, biotrickling filter seeded with B350 would be a better choice for the purification odorous gas containing high concentration aniline.

► Gaseous aniline could be effectively removed in biotrickling filter seeded with B350.
► GC/MSD was employed to analyze aniline biodegradation intermediates.
► Aniline nitrogen and carbon were mineralized into final product of NH4+,NO3-, and CO2.
► Biodegradation mechanism of aniline by B350 was proposed.
► Bacterial community in bioreactor for aniline treatment was detected by PCR-DGGE.