Biotrickling Filtration of Nitric Oxide

ABSTRACT

A biotrickling filter with blast-furnace slag packings (sizes = 20-40 mm and specific surface area = 120 m²/m³) was utilized to treat NO in an air stream. The operational stability, as well as the effects of gas empty-bed retention time (EBRT) and nutrient addition on the removal ability of NO, were tested. Approximately six weeks were required for the development of a biofilm for NO degradation, and a two-week organic carbon deficiency resulted in the detachment of biofilms from the packing surfaces. A steady removal rate of 80% was attained at specified influent NO concentrations of 892 to 1237 ppm and an EBRT of 118 sec. The effluent NO concentration diminished exponentially with enlarging EBRT, with influent NO concentrations of 203-898 ppm, and EBRTs of 25 to 118 sec. Nutrient addition is essential for efficient removal of the influent NO. Mass ratios of C: P: N = 7: 1: 30 and NaHCO₃: NO-N = 6.3 could be used for practical applications.     

Treatment of ethylether in air stream by a biotrickling filter packed with slags.

This paper reports results of studies using a biotrickling filter with blast-furnace slag packings (sizes = 2-4 cm and specific surface area = 120 m2/m3) for treatment of ethylether in air stream. Effects of volumetric loading, superficial gas velocity, empty bed gas retention time, recirculation liquid flow rate, and biofilm renewal on the ethylether removal efficiency and elimination capacity were tested. Results indicate that ethylether removal efficieincies of more than 95% were obtained with an empty bed retention time (EBRT) of 113 sec and loadings of lower than 70 g/m3/hr. At an EBRT of 57 sec, removal efficiencies of more than 90% could only be obtained with loadings of lower than 35 g/m3/hr. The maximum elimination capacities were 71 and 45 g/m3/hr for EBRT = 113 and 57 sec, respectively. The maximum ethylether elimination capacities were 71 and 96 g/m3/hr, respectively, before and after the renewal at EBRT = 113 sec. With an EBRT of 113 sec and a loading of lower than 38 g/m3/hr, the removal efficiency was nearly independent of the superficial liquid recirculation velocity in the range of 3.6 to 9.6 m3/m2/hr. From data regression, simplified masstransfer limited, and reaction- and mass-transfer limited models correlating the contaminant concentration and the packing height were proposed and verified. The former model is applicable for cases of low influent contaminant concentrations or loadings, and the latter is applicable for cases of higher ones. Finally, CO2 conversion efficiencies of approximately 90% for the influent ethylether were obtained. The value is comparable to data reported from other related studies.     

Effect of Water and Carbon Dioxide in Chemiluminescent Measurement of Oxides of Nitrogen

ABSTRACT

This paper reports results of studies using a biotrickling filter with blast-furnace slag packings (sizes = 2–4 cm and specific surface area = 120 m²/m³) for treatment of ethylether in air stream. Effects of volumetric loading, superficial gas velocity, empty bed gas retention time, recirculation liquid flow rate, and biofilm renewal on the ethylether removal efficiency and elimination capacity were tested. Results indicate that ethylether removal efficiencies of more than 95% were obtained with an empty bed retention time (EBRT) of 113 sec and loadings of lower than 70 g/m³/hr. At an EBRT of 57 sec, removal efficiencies of more than 90% could only be obtained with loadings of lower than 35 g/m³/hr. The maximum elimination capacities were 71 and 45 g/m³/hr for EBRT = 113 and 57 sec, respectively. The maximum ethylether elimination capacities were 71 and 96 g/m³/hr, respectively, before and after the renewal at EBRT = 113 sec. With an EBRT of 113 sec and a loading of lower than 38 g/m³/hr, the removal efficiency was nearly independent of the superficial liquid recirculation velocity in the range of 3.6 to 9.6 m³/m²/hr. From data regression, simplified mass-transfer limited, and reaction- and mass-transfer limited models correlating the contaminant concentration and the packing height were proposed and verified. The former model is applicable for cases of low influent contaminant concentrations or loadings, and the latter is applicable for cases of higher ones. Finally, CO₂ conversion efficiencies of approximately 90% for the influent ethylether were obtained. The value is comparable to data reported from other related studies.     

Adsorptive conversion of nitrogen dioxide from etching vent gases over activated carbon

Some metal etching operations emit limited flow rates of waste gases with reddish-brown NO₂ fume, which may cause visual and acidic-odor complaints, as well as negative health effects. In this study, tests were performed by passing caustic-treated waste gases vented from Al-etching operations through columns packed either with virgin or regenerated granular activated carbon (GAC) to test their adsorptive conversion performance of NO₂ in the gases. The gases contained 5–55 ppm NO₂ and acetic and nitric acids of below 3 ppm. Exhausted carbon was regenerated by scrubbing it with caustic solution and water, and dried for further adsorption tests. Results indicate that with an (empty bed residence time (EBRT) of 0.15 sec for the gas through the GAC-packed space, around 60% of the influent NO₂ of 54 ppm could be removed, and 47% of the removed NO₂ was converted by and desorbed from the carbon as NO. GAC used in the present study could be regenerated at least twice to restore its capacity for NO₂ adsorption. Within EBRTs of 0.076–0.18 sec, the adsorptive conversion capacity was linearly varied with EBRT. In practice, with an EBRT of 0.20 sec, a conversion capacity of 0.80 kg NO₂ (kg GAC)^?1 with an influent NO₂ of 40 ppm can be used as a basis for system design.

Implications: Some metal etching operations emit waste gases with reddish-brown (yellow when diluted) NO₂ fume which may cause visual and acidic-odor complaints, as well as negative health effects. This study provides a simple process for the adsorptive conversion of NO₂ in caustic-treated waste gases vented from metal-etching operations through a GAC column. With an EBRT of 0.20 sec, a conversion capacity of 0.80 kg NO₂ (kg GAC)^?1 with an influent NO₂ of 40 ppm can be used as a basis for system design. Saturated GAC can be regenerated at least twice by simply scrubbing it with aqueous caustic solution.     

Carbon disulfide and hydrogen sulfide removal with a peat biofilter

Simultaneous removal of H2S and CS2 was studied with a peat biofilter inoculated with a Thiobacillus strain that oxidizes both compounds in an acidic environment. Both sulfurous gases at concentrations below 600 mg S/m3 were efficiently removed, and the removal efficiencies were similar, 99%, with an empty bed retention time (EBRT) of more than 60 sec. Concentrations greater than 1300-5000 mg S/m3 caused overloading of the filter material, resulting in high H2SO4 production, accumulation of elemental sulfur, and reduced removal efficiency. The highest sulfur removal rate achieved was 4500 g-S/day/m3 filter material. These results indicate that peat is suitable as a biofilter material for the removal of a mixture of H2S and CS2 when concentrations of gases to be purified are low (less than 600 mg/m3), but it is still odorous and toxic to the environment and humans.     

1-Butanol removal from a contaminated airstream under continuous and diurnal loading conditions

A polysulfone microporous membrane module was investigated for control of 1-butanol-contaminated gas streams. A diurnal loading condition, using two different butanol concentrations, was used to simulate start-up and stop conditions associated with shift work. The membrane module was also used to remove 1-butanol from air under continuous loading conditions in a bioreactor. The reactors were seeded with a mixed bacterial consortium capable of butanol biodegradation. Biokinetic parameters for butanol utilization were determined for the culture to be a maximum specific utilization rate (k) equal to 4.3 d(-1) and a half saturation constant (Ks) equal to 8.9 mg L(-1). A biofilter running only with diurnal loading conditions giving a "40-hr work-week" had an average 1-butanol removal rate of 29% (111 ppm, 74 gm(-3) hr(-1)) from a 350-ppm influent at the end of an 8-hr operational day. End-of-day removal varied between 4 and 67% during the operational period. With continuous steady-state operation followed by placement on a diurnal loading schedule and influent butanol concentrations increased to 700 ppm, butanol removal averaged 38% (269 ppm, 145 gm-3 hr(-1)). Under continuous loading, steady-state conditions, 1-butanol removal from the airstream was greater than 99% (200 ppm, 73 gm-3 hr(-1)). These results suggest that the bioreactor can be operated on a diurnal schedule or 40-hr week operational schedule without any decline in performance.     

异养型生物过滤床硝化净化一氧化氮

采用生物滤床处理NO模拟废气,研究了停留时间(EBRT)、有机物浓度等在生物硝化去除NO技术中的作用过程.实验结果表明,EBRT和有机物含量是影响NO硝化去除效率的主要因素,NO去除效果随着有机物含量和EBRT的增大而提高;当进口浓度50 mg/m3,营养液中葡萄糖40 mg/L,EBRT＞3 min时,NO去除率达95%以上.比较自养菌和异养菌对NO硝化去除的效果,异养菌的去除效率提高20%～30%,具有广泛应用前景.     

Biological removal of gaseous ammonia in biofilters: space travel and earth-based applications

Gaseous NH3 removal was studied in laboratory-scale biofilters (14-L reactor volume) containing perlite inoculated with a nitrifying enrichment culture. These biofilters received 6 L/min of airflow with inlet NH3 concentrations of 20 or 50 ppm, and removed more than 99.99% of the NH3 for the period of operation (101, 102 days). Comparison between an active reactor and an autoclaved control indicated that NH3 removal resulted from nitrification directly, as well as from enhanced absorption resulting from acidity produced by nitrification. Spatial distribution studies (20 ppm only) after 8 days of operation showed that nearly 95% of the NH3 could be accounted for in the lower 25% of the biofilter matrix, proximate to the port of entry. Periodic analysis of the biofilter material (20 and 50 ppm) showed accumulation of the nitrification product NO3- early in the operation, but later both NO2- and NO3- accumulated. Additionally, the N-mass balance accountability dropped from near 100% early in the experiments to approximately 95 and 75% for the 20- and 50-ppm biofilters, respectively. A partial contributing factor to this drop in mass balance accountability was the production of NO and N2O, which were detected in the biofilter exhaust.     

不同调控策略对CANON工艺快速适应氨氮浓度提升的影响

针对进水氨氮浓度变化会影响CANON颗粒污泥功能微生物间的协同导致系统不稳定的问题,通过接种常温下贮存2个月的自养颗粒污泥,并采用3种调控策略（维持HRT不变,快速提升氨氮浓度(R1);维持HRT不变,逐级提升氨氮浓度(R2);逐级提升进水氨氮浓度同时调整HRT,以125 mg·L⁻¹为进水氨氮增幅(R3)）,分别考察各种调控策略对系统适应275 mg·L⁻¹和400 mg·L^-1氨氮浓度的效能影响,探讨调控策略与污泥性能的关系及游离氨(FA)、溶解氧(DO)的影响。结果表明,污泥性能提升期,负荷变化最为平稳的策略R3率先适应进水氨氮浓度的提升,仅44 d内总氮去除负荷可达到3.5 kg·(m³·d)⁻¹;污泥性能成熟期,快速提升负荷的策略R1可缩短适应时间至25 d,总氮去除率稳定在80%以上,去除负荷达到5.3 kg·(m³·d)⁻¹。FA会影响功能微生物活性,策略R1在污泥性能提升期,FA浓度高达16.6~26.7 mg·L⁻¹,一定程度上抑制了好氧氨氧化菌(AOB)和厌氧氨氧化菌(AMX)的活性,导致系统适应期延长。在污泥适应高氨氮负荷过程中,比氨氧化速率(S_AOR)和比总氮去除速率(S_NRR)逐渐提高,污泥浓度和颗粒粒径逐渐增大。f值(Δ$ {\rm{NO}}_3^{-}$-N/ΔTN)可作为DO调节的重要依据,DO与氨氮去除负荷呈良好的正相关性。     

生物转鼓过滤器反硝化净化NO的效率研究

采用自行研制的生物转鼓过滤器(RDB)反硝化净化NO。结果表明,在实验温度为25～30℃、pH为7.0～7.5、转鼓转速为1.0r/min、空床停留时间(EBRT)为86.40s、营养液用量为5.0L、营养液更换频率为0.2L/d的条件下,RDB在30d内完成挂膜;RDB稳定运行期间,当NO进气质量浓度为90～433mg/m3时,NO去除率维持在42.9%～85.2%,平均去除负荷为10.40g/(m3.h);转鼓转速决定了生物膜表面的更新速率和液膜厚度,当转速为0.5r/min时,NO去除率达到最大值(75.0%);将营养液用量控制在1.3～3.0L较为合理;EBRT是决定反硝化效率的重要因素,当EBRT为345.60s时,NO去除率不受其进气浓度的影响,且去除率高达95%以上,当EBRT为43.20s、NO进气质量浓度从98mg/m3增加到1095mg/m3时,NO去除率从62.5%下降到30.7%,当进气负荷为50.00g/(m3.h)时,NO去除负荷达到最大值(27.50g/(m3.h))。     

Optimizing nutrient supply in a rotatory-switching biofilter for toluene vapor treatment

The influence of nutrient conditions on the degradation of toluene vapor in a rotatory-switching biofilter (RSB) was investigated. The biofilter consists of four segments connected in series, each with a packing layer made of polyvinyl formal. The influent airstreams including toluene vapors were passed through segments 1-3 as up-flow with a toluene concentration of 0.9-1.2 g m(-3) and with an empty-bed retention time of 26-52 sec. Nutrient solutions were fed to all packed segments once a day by means of immersion. The nutrient solution was used repeatedly and replenished by the addition of (NH4)2SO4. The result at 155 days showed nitrogen depletion was particularly obvious and the lack of nitrogen affected toluene removal. By adding 161 g of nitrogen solution per volumetric cubic meter of reactor, toluene removal efficiency was immediately increased to greater than 99%. With long-term biofilter operation, 21%-32% of ammonium was utilized for nitrification because of the growth of nitrifying bacteria such as Nitrosomonas sp. Based on the carbon-nitrogen balance, the daily nitrogen demand for toluene removal was estimated 2.1 g day(-1) at a toluene load of 70 g m(-3) hr(-1).     

Degradation of gas-phase propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate by ultraviolet/ozone process: A kinetic study

A pilot-scale plug-flow reactor was built to investigate its performance in treating airborne propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate (PGMEA) via ozonation, ultraviolet (UV) photolysis and UV/O3 technologies. Governing factors, such as the initial molar ratio of ozone (O3) to PG-MEA, UV volumetric electric power input, and moisture content in the influent airstream, were investigated. A 1-L batch reactor was used to investigate some photodegradation characteristics of PGMEA in advance. Experiments were conducted at a fixed influent PGMEA concentration of approximately 50 ppm and an ambient temperature of 26 degrees C. A gas space time of 85 sec in the plug-flow reactor was kept for either ozonation or photolysis reaction, whereas a gas space time of 170 sec was used for the UV/O3 degradation. Results show that an initial molar ratio of O3 to PGMEA of >2.91 and an UV volumetric electric input power of 0.294 W/L(-1) sufficed to obtain PGMEA decompositions of >90% by UV/O3. Kinetic analyses indicate that all types of PGMEA decomposition are pseudo-first order with respect to its concentration. Moisture content (relative humidity = 15-99%) and UV volumetric electric input power (0.147 and 0.294 W/L(-1)) were major factors that strongly affect the PGMEA degradation rate.     

花卉秸秆为碳源的潜流人工湿地对硝氮的去除及其负效应

可用有机碳源不足是限制低碳高硝氮废水反硝化脱氮效能的关键因素。采用4种常见花卉（康乃馨、玫瑰、百合、紫罗兰）的废弃秸秆作为有机碳源投加至垂直布设于潜流人工湿地前端的穿孔管中,考察并对比各系统对低碳高硝氮废水的脱硝效能及其氮转化情况。结果表明,投加花卉秸秆显著增强了人工湿地的NO3--N去除效能,其中,康乃馨秸秆强化脱NO3--N效能最佳,实验期间平均去除率为51.8%和每批次去除量873.4 mg;玫瑰秸秆最差,平均去除率为31.1%和每批次去除量535.0 mg。NO3--N去除率均随运行时间的延长而逐渐下降。伴随NO3--N的去除,系统内产生了一定量的NO2--N和NH4+-N,其浓度均与NO3--N去除率呈显著正相关（p<0.05）。此外,花卉秸秆的投加使系统运行初期出水中的有机物含量偏高。以玫瑰秸秆为外加碳源产生的负效应最低。综合考虑碳源投加的正负效应,康乃馨秸秆为本实验条件下的最佳碳源,玫瑰秸秆则应增加投加量以达到更好的应用效果。     

Decomposition of gas phase 1,3-butadiene by ultraviolet/ozone process

A pilot-scale plug-flow reactor was built to investigate its performance in treating airborne 1,3-butadiene (BD) via ozonation (O3) and ultraviolet (UV)/O3 technologies. Governing factors, such as the initial molar ratio of ozone to BD, UV volumetric electric input power, and moisture content in the influent airstream, were investigated. Experiments were conducted at an influent BD concentration of approximately 50 ppm, an ambient temperature of 26 degrees C, and a gas retention time of 85 sec. Results show that an initial molar ratio of ozone to BD of 3.5 and 2 sufficed to obtain BD decompositions of >90% for ozonation and UV/O3, respectively. The UV irradiance did not directly promote the decomposition of BD, rather, it played a role in promoting the production of secondary oxidants, such as hydroxyl radicals. Kinetic analyses indicate that both types of BD decomposition are peudo-first-order with respect to BD concentrations. Moisture content (relative humidity = 40-99%) and UV volumetric electric input power (0.147 and 0.294 W/L) are both factors that weakly affect the rate of BD decomposition. Economic evaluation factors, including both energy of ozone production and UV electric input power, were also estimated.     

不同C／N下人工湿地的脱氮效果及其强化措施

以人工湿地为研究对象,分析了不同C／N下人工湿地的脱氮效果。结果表明,C／N为10时,TN、NO2-N和COD平均去除率分别为（75．36±10．55）％、（86．34±9．23）％和（67．60±4．10）％,都显著高于其他2组系统（P=0．006、0．001、0〈0．01）;随着C／N的增加,NO3-N去除率呈现出上升的趋势;NH4-N刚好相反,C／N为1时,明显要高于其他2种情况（P=0〈0．05）,平均去除率为（65．42-1-14．31）％。针对C／N为1时人工湿地脱氮效率较低（51．294-14．48）％的情况,对系统进水采取了添加一定量好氧反硝化细菌固定化小球并曝气12h的强化实验措施。结果发现,强化实验条件下TN、NOr-N和N03-N去除率均提高了10％以上,且都要明显高于非强化实验条件（P：0．003、0、0〈0．01）,同时NH4-N和COD去除率没有明显差异,研究结果表明,从微生物角度对系统进水进行前处理有助于提高人工湿地脱氮效率。     

COD/N对潜流人工湿地脱氮效能及N2O排放的影响

人工湿地因其低能耗、易管理的优点被广泛应用于水处理和生态修复,尤其在发展中国家有其适用性。为探讨COD/N对潜流人工湿地脱氮效能及氧化亚氮（N2O）的排放影响,分别构建5组微型人工湿地CW1~CK,进水化学需氧量/总氮（COD/N）分别为20：1、10：1、7：1、4：1和0：1。结果表明,湿地出水DO浓度均低于0.5 mg·L-1,不同的COD/N下无显著差异,但pH表现为随COD/N的升高而降低。进水COD/N为10、7和4的湿地中COD去除率在80%以上,而进水COD/N=20的湿地中COD去除率不足70%。5组COD/N湿地中氨氮（NH4+-N）的平均去除率依次为（61±16.6）%、（23±14.1）%、（30±12.5）%、（28±14.5）%和（74±7.0）%,在碳源充足或无碳源的条件下有利于NH4+-N的去除。除COD/N=0外,其余湿地中出水未检测到硝态氮（NO3--N）。湿地中总氮（TN）的去除变化与NH4+-N相似。5组湿地系统中,N2O的平均释放通量和累积排放量,分别在0.83~11.84 mg·（m2·h）-1和30.65~490.80 mg·m-2之间。COD/N=4的人工湿地系统中,N2O的平均释放通量和累计排放量显著高于其他处理（p2O形态去除的氮占系统去除TN的百分比为4.87%。COD/N对潜流人工湿地的脱氮和N2O减量具有调控作用。     

生物滴滤法去除低浓度苯乙烯

通过装载改性聚乙烯填料的生物滴滤塔进行废气中的苯乙烯生物降解实验。结果表明,通过快速排泥法挂膜,该反应器可在较短周期内实现微生物的驯化。苯乙烯入口浓度和空床停留时间(EBRT)是影响反应器性能的重要因素,当EBRT分别为60、45、30和15 s以及对应的入口浓度分别为950、430、350和200 mg/m3时,可实现达标排放。循环喷淋液中的硝酸盐(亚硝酸盐)对生物滴滤池的影响十分明显,在初始阶段,亚硝酸根很快被耗尽,硝酸根则相对缓慢。当循环液中的TN从102.63 mg/L下降到24.24 mg/L时,滴滤池的去除效率由94.48%下降到43.16%,部分原因是降低NOx-的浓度减弱了反硝化作用对VOC碳源的利用。     

Biofiltration of odorous fume emitted from recycled nylon melting operations

This study aimed to develop a biofilter packed only with fern chips for the removal of odorous compounds from recycled nylon melting operations. The fern chip biofilters could avoid the shortcomings of traditional media, such as compaction, drying, and breakdown, which lead to the performance failure of the biofilters. A pilot-scale biofilter consisting of an acrylic column (14 cm²?×?120 cm height) packed with fern chips to a volume of around 19.6 L was used for the test. Experimental results indicate that oxygen- and nitrogen-containing hydrocarbons as well as paraffins were major volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from thermal smelting of recycled nylon at 250 °C. With operation conditions of medium pH of 5.5–7.0, empty bed retention time (EBRT) of 6–12 sec, influent total hydrocarbon (THC) concentrations of 0.65–2.61 mg m^?3, and volumetric organic loading of 0.05–0.85 g m^?3 hr^?1, the fern-chip-packed biofilter with nutrients of milk, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and glucose could achieve an overall THC removal efficiency of around 80%. Burnt odor emitted from the smelting of the recycled nylon could be eliminated by the biofilter.

Implications: Biotreatment of contaminants in air streams offers an inexpensive and efficient alternative to conventional technologies. Biofiltration have a great potential for the degradation of gas-borne odorous compounds. THC removal efficiency of around 80% can be achieved. Burnt odor emitted from the smelting of the recycled nylon could be eliminated by the biofilter. This study provides an experimentally verified model for the design and operation of such biotreatment systems.     

Biofiltration of gasoline vapor by compost media

Gasoline vapor was treated using a compost biofilter operated in upflow mode over 4 months. The gas velocity was 6 m/h, yielding an empty bed retention time (EBRT) of 10 min. Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) and total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) removal efficiencies remained fairly stable approximately 15 days after biofilter start-up. The average removal efficiencies of TPH and BTEX were 80 and 85%, respectively, during 4 months of stable operation. Biodegradation portions of the treated TPH and BTEX were 60 and 64%, respectively. When the influent concentration of TPH was less than 7800 mg TPH/m3, approximately 50% of TPH in the gas stream was removed in the lower half of the biofilter. When the influent concentration of BTEX was less than 720 mg BTEX/m3, over 75% of BTEX in the gas stream was removed in the lower half of the biofilter. Benzene removal efficiency was the lowest among BTEX. A pressure drop could not be detected over a 1-m bed height at a gas velocity of 6 m/h after approximately 4 months of operation. Results demonstrated that BTEX in gasoline vapor could be treated effectively using a compost biofilter.     

1-Butanol Removal from a Contaminated Airstream under Continuous and Diurnal Loading Conditions

Abstract

A polysulfone microporous membrane module was investigated for control of 1-butanol-contaminated gas streams. A diurnal loading condition, using two different butanol concentrations, was used to simulate startup and stop conditions associated with shift work. The membrane module was also used to remove 1-butanol from air under continuous loading conditions in a bioreactor. The reactors were seeded with a mixed bacterial consortium capable of butanol biodegradation. Biokinetic parameters for butanol utilization were determined for the culture to be a maximum specific utilization rate (k) equal to 4.3 d^?1 and a half saturation constant (K_s) equal to 8.9 mg L^?1. A biofilter running only with diurnal loading conditions giving a “40-hr workweek” had an average 1-butanol removal rate of 29% (111 ppm, 74 gm^?3 hr^?1) from a 350-ppm influent at the end of an 8-hr operational day. End-of-day removal varied between 4 and 67% during the operational period. With continuous steady-state operation followed by placement on a diurnal loading schedule and influent butanol concentrations increased to 700 ppm, butanol removal averaged 38% (269 ppm, 145 gm^?3 hr^?1). Under continuous loading, steady-state conditions, 1-butanol removal from the airstream was greater than 99% (200 ppm, 73 gm^?3 hr^?1). These results suggest that the bioreactor can be operated on a diurnal schedule or 40-hr week operational schedule without any decline in performance.