Wstępna ocena możliwości zastosowania β-cyklodekstryny jako czynnika wpływającego na skuteczność oczyszczania gazów metodą biofiltracji

Biotechnological processes are widely used in environmental engineering. However, a common problem associated with the biological method relating to the removal of certain pollutants from the environment is low solubility in water, which significantly limits the possibility of their biodegradation or washing. Therefore, a growing interest in the application of surfactants, for instance, for the remediation of soil, is observed. Surfactants can significantly influence the removal of pollutants from the environment. Not only do they increase the solubility of hydrophobic compounds, but also aid in their leaching and increase their bioavailability. Moreover, the use of surfactants by leaching of pollutants is relatively cheap compared to the extraction with organic solvents. As in the case of bioremediation of soil, the use of surfactants could potentially affect the growth of the removal efficiency of hydrophobic pollutants from combustion gases by increasing their bioavailability. This paper presents the results of preliminary laboratory studies using β cyclodextrin in purifying of air contaminated by toluene vapors by biofiltration. In the assumed concentrations (1, 2, 3 g/dm3) the positive effect of cyclodextrin on toluene biofiltration was not observed.