Removal of Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) vapour from contaminated air streams using different bacterial cultures in biotrickling filter

The treatment of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) vapors in biotrickling filters for air pollution control was investigated using different bacterial cultures. In the first phase, reactor was inoculated by the indigenous organisms and in the next phase, an aerobic microbial consortium able to biodegrade MTBE was used for reactor bed inoculation. Result was obtained only by specific organism: reactor was able to remove MTBE,after a short adaptation phase. Laboratory scale biotrickling filters were able to degrade up to 25 g/m.h with removal efficiency of 90%. They also showed a low rate of biomass accumulation.