Evaluation of 3D-printed microchannel bioreactor design: Mass transfer and continuous operation for VOC biodegradation

A systematic study of major microbioreactor design parameters was carried out with the aim of understanding and improving microreactor performance for the biological treatment of volatile organic compounds. A design-build-test-learn platform was developed that enabled new reactor design prototypes to be rapidly designed using CAD software, manufactured with 3D printing, and inserted interchangeably in an experimental testing system. Several microbioreactors were fabricated with varying microchannel sizes and configurations. The mass transfer coefficients were characterized and a selection of microbioreactor prototypes was evaluated in a study of toluene vapor biodegradation in continuously operated dual phase gas-liquid microbioreactors. KLa values exceeding 600 h-1 and toluene elimination capacities ranging from 200 to almost 1000 g m−3 h−1 (for the microbioreactor only) were observed. Experiments on the impacts of reactor design and operation demonstrated that microbioreactors with smaller channel dimensions had higher mass transfer coefficients, which also translated to higher rates of toluene elimination in continuous biodegradation experiments.

Duke Scholars

Author Marc Deshusses Civil and Environmental Engineering