Examination of microbial potential in packed bed on the effect of temperature for petroleum hydrocarbon treatment using adsorbent

The potential of the microbes in petroleum hydrocarbon remediation in a packed bed unit using formulated adsorbent was monitored up on the effect of temperature.The microbes monitored with respect to temperature are classified as mesophilic, thermophilic and super thermophilic and their operational temperatures are Tmim < 20oC and Tmax < 45oC (mesophilic), Tmm < 20oC and Tmax < 75oC (thermophilic) and super thermophilic of Tmim < 20oC and Tmax < 120oC.The research demonstrates the effect of temperature on microbes in terms of microbial growth and petroleum hydrocarbon degradation.The investigation further revealed that the remediation was more of thermal remediation than bioremediation.The performance of the adsorbent was influence significantly by the elevated temperature, because the petroleum hydrocarbon was more of gaseous phase than liquid phase.The rate of microbial activity was high and the rate of contact with the adsorbent was low as well as the potential of the microbes to withstand the condition for their growth was totally inhibited at temperature above 45oC for mesophilic organism, temperature above 75oC for thermophilic organism and temperature above 120oC for super thermophilic.