Methylamine removal using mixed bacterial strains in a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) system

Methylamine (MA) is an organic compound that can be found in many commercial applications (agricultural chemicals, including herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, biocides, and miticides; catalysts; pharmaceuticals; resin manufacturing). It has a strong odor similar to fish and can cause chemical burns to the eyes and skin. The vapor from this chemical is extremely irritating to the nose, throat, lungs, skin, and eyes. The indiscriminate discharge of improperly treated chemical contaminated wastewater or wastes into a natural water body will cause serious environmental pollution problems and severe adverse impacts to the aquatic ecology. The goal of this investigation is to remove MA using a continuous stirred-tank reactor (CSTR) and to understand the ability of mixed bacteria strains to treat different initial MA concentrations in synthetic and actual industrial wastewaters in the CSTR. The following results were obtained: When the hydraulic retention time (HRT) was 1.136 day, the MA removed efficiency in the CSTR was the best. When the HRT was 1.136 day, the mixed strains could utilize 1000 mg l−1 MA both from synthetic wastewater and actual industrial wastewater for growth in the CSTR. The MA removal efficiency reached 100% in the CSTR.