Biodegradation of chloroform along with a mixture of VOCs (methanol, ethanol, acetone and toluene) commonly found in pharmaceutical emissions using a biotrickling filter (BTF) was evaluated. The performance of the BTF was evaluated for both steady and transient conditions, for different inlet loading rates (ILR), empty bed residence time (EBRT) and inlet chloroform concentrations. Among the VOC...

Chloroform (CHCl3) is used in industry and laboratory settings as a solvent for adhesives, pesticides, fats, oils and rubbers. It is also used as a chemical intermediate in the synthesis of fluorocarbon 22, dyes, pesticides, and tribromomethane. Chloroform is produced as a byproduct of water, sewage, and wood pulp chlorination (HSDB, 1995). In 1996, the latest year tabulated, the statewide mean...