Continuous aerobic phenol degradation by defined mixed immobilized culture in packed bed reactors.

A defined mixed culture of Pseudomonas putida, Commamonas testosteroni and Candida tropicalis was immobilized by adsorption on polyurethane foam, cocoa-fibers, expanded slate and sintered glass. Packed bed reactors were used for long-term continuous phenol biodegradations. Loading experiments were done to study the impact of the following parameters: (1) hydraulic retention time, (2) dissolved oxygen concentration, and (3) elimination of the oxygen limitation.