Biodegradation of phenol using the self-cycling fermentation (SCF) process.

Self-cycling fermentation (SCF) in a stirred tank reactor was applied to the biodegradation of phenol by Pseudomonas putida. The technique resulted in stable and repeatable performance. Complete substrate consumption was achieved under all operating conditions investigated. SCF resulted in substrate utilization rates as high as 14.5 kg of phenol per cubic meter of fermentor volume per day of fermentation, higher than those that have been reported for batch, CSTR, and packed column fermentors. A mathematical model of the self-cycling fermentation process was expanded to include inhibitory substrate-microorganism combinations, and was shown to provide a good fit to both end-of-cycle and intracycle experimental data. (c) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.