Document Type

Thesis

Date of Award

Fall 10-31-1997

Degree Name

Master of Science in Chemical Engineering - (M.S.)

Department

Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Environmental Science

First Advisor

Gordon Lewandowski

Second Advisor

Piero M. Armenante

Third Advisor

David Kafkewitz

Abstract

Kinetic experiments were conducted using Pseudomonas putida (ATCC 17484) to determine the rate of growth when naphthalene was provided as a sole carbon source in suspended biomass systems. Batch and chemostat reactors were used under three sets of conditions: non-aerated, aerated at 29.5° C, and aerated at 25.5° C. A number of concentrations were tested under each set of conditions. Data regression was used to determine parameters for Monod (non-inhibitory), Andrews (inhibitory), and zero-order kinetics. Although the Andrews fit of the data provided a slightly lower sum-of-squares error (SSE), the amount of data scatter and the weak inhibition made the Andrews fit only marginally better. In addition, extremely small values of the saturation constant (Ks < 0.01mg/L) made the use of a zero-order kinetic constant nearly identical with a Monod model for naphthalene concentrations above 0.05 mg/L. Particularly troublesome experimental problems included inconsistent biomass measurements by optical density and wall growth. Suggested biokinetic parameters are: µ = 0.0074 min-1, Ks= 0.0022 mg/L, and K1= 31 mg/L (for Andrews model); µmax =0.0057 min-1, and Ks= 0.00088 mg/L (for Monod model); and k0= 0.0058 min-1 (for the zero-order model).

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