Abstract
Modeling and design of an industrial scale biochemical process for removal of NOx from flue gases (BioDeNOx) are presented. The process is based on the absorption of NOx in Fe(II)EDTA solution followed by the reduction to nitrogen in a biochemical reactor. Rate-based models of the absorption and reaction units are developed, taking into account the kinetics of chemical and biochemical reactions and the rate of gasliquid mass transfer. We demonstrate that the process is feasible at industrial scale. A spray column is more efficient as absorber than a bubble column since it minimizes the deactivation of Fe(II)EDTA by concurrent oxidation. In achieving high yield in NOx reduction, the regeneration and recycle of the Fe(II)EDTA complex is determinant.