A trickling fibrous-bed bioreactor for biofiltration of benzene in air

A novel trickling fibrous-bed bioreactor was developed for biofiltration to remove pollutants present in contaminated air. Air containing benzene as the sole carbon source was effectively treated with a coculture of Pseudomonas putida and Pseudomonas fluorescens immobilized in the trickling biofilter, which was wetted with a liquid medium containing only inorganic mineral salts. When the inlet benzene concentration (C_gi) was 0·37 g m⁻³, the benzene removal efficiency in the biofilter was greater than 90% at an empty bed retention time (EBRT) of 8 min or a superficial air flow rate of 1·8 m³ m⁻² h⁻¹. In general, the removal efficiency decreased but the elimination capacity of the biofilter increased with increasing the inlet benzene concentration and the air (feed) flow rate. It was also found that the removal efficiency decreased but the elimination capacity increased with an increase in the loading capacity, which is equal to the inlet concentration divided by EBRT. The maximum elimination capacity achieved in this study was ∽11·5 g m⁻³ h⁻¹ when the inlet benzene concentration was 1·7 g m⁻³ and the superficial air flow rate was 3·62 m³ m⁻² h⁻¹. A simple mathematical model based on the first-order reaction kinetics was developed to simulate the biofiltration performance. The apparent first order parameter K_l in this model was found to be linearly related to the inlet benzene concentration (K_l=4·64−1·38 C_gi). The model can be used to predict the benzene removal efficiency and elimination capacity of the biofilter for benzene loading capacity up to ∽30 g m⁻³ h⁻¹. Using this model, the maximum elimination capacity for the biofilter was estimated to be 12·3 g m⁻³ h⁻¹, and the critical loading capacity was found to be 14 g m⁻³ h⁻¹. The biofilter had a fast response to process condition changes and was stable for long-term operation; no degeneration or clogging of the biofilter was encountered during the 3-month period studied. The biofilter also had a relatively low pressure drop of 750 Pa m⁻¹ at a high superficial air flow rate of 7·21 m³ m⁻² h⁻¹, indicating a good potential for further scale up for industrial applications. © 1998 Society of Chemical Industry     

Influence of nitrogen on the degradation of toluene in a compost‐based biofilter

Two identical laboratory‐scale bioreactors were operated simultaneously, each treating an input air flow rate of 1 m³ h^?1. The biofilters consisted of multi‐stage columns, each stage packed with a compost‐based filtering material, which was not previously inoculated. The toluene inlet concentration was fixed at 1.5 g m^?3 of air. Apart from the necessary carbon, the elements nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, potassium and other micro‐elements are also essential for microbial metabolism. These were distributed throughout the filter bed material by periodic ‘irrigations’ with various test nutrient solutions. The performance of each biofilter was quantified by determining its toluene removal efficiency, and elimination capacity. Nutrient solution nitrogen levels were varied from 0 to 6.0 g dm^?3, which led to elimination capacities of up to 50 g m^?3 h^?1 being obtained for a toluene inlet load of 80 g m^?3 h^?1. A theoretical analysis also confirmed that the optimum nitrogen solution concentration lays in the range 4.0–6.0 g dm^?3. Validation of the irrigation mode was achieved by watering each biofilter stage individually. Vertical stage‐by‐stage stratification of the biofilter performance was not detected, ie each filter bed section removed the same amount of pollutant, the elimination capacity per stage being about 16 g m^?3 h^?1 per section of column. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Elimination of chlorobenzene vapors from air in a compost‐based biofilter

In this work, the removal of monochlorobenzene (CB) vapors from air was studied, for the first time, in a non‐inoculated, laboratory‐scale, aerobic biofilter. The influence of three parameters on the bioprocess has been evaluated: the rate of nitrogen supplied to the bed, the inlet concentration of CB, and the flow rate. The CB inlet concentration was varied between 0.3 and 3.2 g m^?3, at a constant flow rate of 1.0 m³ h^?1. Removal rates of greater than 90% were achieved for CB inlet concentrations of up to 1.2 g m^?3. Then the flow rate was varied from 0.5 to 3.0 m³ h^?1 with a constant inlet concentration (1.2 g m^?3). Maximum elimination capacities (70 g m^?3 h^?1) were reached for contact times of greater than 60 s. The study of varying flow rates also permitted evaluation of a first order macrokinetic constant (1.1 × 10^?2 s^?1) for the CB biodegradation. Finally, the optimum nitrogen input value was found to lie between 0.3 and 0.4 g N h^?1 and gave rise to elimination capacities as high as 70 g m^?3 h^?1 for an inlet load of near 80 g m^?3 h^?1. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of pre‐treatments based on UV photocatalysis and photo‐oxidation on toluene biofiltration performance

BACKGROUND: The integration of UV photocatalysis and biofiltration seems to be a promising combination of technologies for the removal of hydrophobic and poorly biodegradable air pollutants. The influence of pre‐treatments based on UV_{254 nm} photocatalysis and photo‐oxidation on the biofiltration of toluene as a target compound was evaluated in a controlled long‐term experimental study using different system configurations: a standalone biofilter, a combined UV photocatalytic reactor‐biofilter, and a combined UV photo‐oxidation reactor (without catalyst)‐biofilter. RESULTS: Under the operational conditions used (residence time of 2.7 s and toluene concentrations 600–1200 mg C m^?3), relatively low removal efficiencies (6–3%) were reached in the photocatalytic reactor and no degradation of toluene was found when the photo‐oxidation reactor was operated without catalyst. A noticeable improvement in the performance of the biofilter combined with a photocatalytic reactor was observed, and the elimination capacity of the biological process increased by more than 12 g C h^?1 m^?3 at the inlet loads studied of 50–100 g C h^?1 m^?3. No positive effect on toluene removal was observed for the combination of UV photoreactor and biofilter. CONCLUSIONS: Biofilter pre‐treatment based on UV_{254 nm} photocatalysis showed promising results for the removal of hydrophobic and recalcitrant air pollutants, providing synergistic improvement in the removal of toluene. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Simultaneous treatment of methane and swine slurry by biofiltration

BACKGROUND: The piggery industry is important both worldwide and in Canada, but localized production of large quantities of swine slurry causes severe environmental problems such as aquatic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The main objective of this study was to determine whether it is possible to simultaneously treat methane (CH₄) and swine slurry using an inorganic biofilter. RESULTS: A novel biofilter was designed to overcome the inhibition of CH₄ biodegradation by swine slurry. The CH₄ elimination capacity increased with the inlet load and a maximum value of 18.8 ± 1.0 g m^?3 h^?1 was obtained at an inlet load of 46.7 ± 0.9 g m^?3 h^?1 and a CH₄ concentration of 3.3 g m^?3. Four pure strains of fungi were used in an attempt to improve the removal of CH₄, but no significant effect was observed. Between 0.35 and 3.4 g m^?3, the CH₄ concentration had no effect on swine slurry treatment with removal efficiencies of 67 ± 10% for organic carbon and 70 ± 7% for ammonium. The influence of the slurry supply was analyzed and the best results were obtained with a supply method of six doses of 50 mL per day. CONCLUSION: Even though the results were lower than those obtained for the biofiltration of CH₄ alone, this study demonstrated the feasibility of treating CH₄ and swine slurry with the same biofilter using a novel design. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Biotrickling filtration of air contaminated with ethanol

A biotrickling filter (BTF) for treating high ethanol loads was operated for one year and the effect of operating conditions was studied. The BTF was operated in a range of ethanol inlet concentrations of 0.2–15.0 g m^?3 and at three different residence times (30, 65 and 130 s). The experiments show that removal efficiency decreased with increasing ethanol inlet concentration and decreasing air residence time. Removal efficiency varied in the range of 60–100%. A maximum elimination capacity of 970 g m^?3 h^?1 was obtained for an inlet load of 1610 g m^?3 h^?1. At a constant residence time, the carbon dioxide (CO₂) production rate varied with ethanol inlet concentration. BTF presented the maximum CO₂ production rate in the range of inlet concentration of 3.0–7.0 g m^?3. Two strategies for controlling biomass accumulation were applied: one consisted in periodical washing; the other combined periodical washing with nutrient starvation by consuming less water and energy. Both strategies led to maintaining the BTF stable, with high adaptability and reproducibility. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Biofiltration of toluene in the absence and the presence of ethyl acetate under continuous and intermittent loading

BACKGROUND: Two peat biofilters were used for the removal of toluene from air for one year. One biofilter was fed with pure toluene and the other received 1:1 (by weight) ethyl acetate:toluene mixture. RESULTS: The biofilters were operated under continuous loading: the toluene inlet load (IL) at which 80% removal occurred was 116 g m^?3 h^?1 at 57 s gas residence time. Maximum elimination capacity of 360 g m^?3 h^?1 was obtained at an IL of 745 g m^?3 h^?1. The elimination of toluene was inhibited by the presence of ethyl acetate. Intermittent loading, with pollutants supplied for 16 h/day, 5 days/week, did not significantly affect the removal efficiency (RE). Biomass was fully activated in 2 h after night closures, but 6 h were required to recover RE after weekend closures. Live cell density remained relatively constant over the operational period, while the dead cell fraction increased. Finally, a 15 day starvation period was applied and operation then re‐started. Performance was restored with similar re‐acclimatization period to that after weekend closures, and a reduction in dead cell fraction was observed. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the capacity of the system to handle intermittent loading conditions that are common in industrial practices, including long‐term starvation. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Removal of monochlorobenzene from air in a trickling biofilter at high loading rates

BACKGROUND: In this study, the biofiltration of air streams laden with monochlorobenzene (MCB) vapours was investigated using a trickling biofilter operated co‐currently. The device was filled with ceramic material and inoculated with an acclimated microbial culture. A neutralization process was carried out in a separate unit using crushed oyster shells. Long‐term biofilter performance was evaluated over a 10‐month period of continuous experiments under different influent pollutant concentrations from 0.10 to 1.75 g m^?3, sequentially stepped up through three different apparent air residence times of 60, 30, and 15 s. RESULTS: Pollutant removal was shown to be complete at influent concentrations up to 1.25, 0.75 and 0.20 g m^?3, and apparent air residence times of 60, 30, and 15 s, respectively. The maximum elimination capacity was found to be 95.0 g m_PM^?3 h^?1 for an influent concentration of 1.0 g m^?3 and an apparent air residence time of 30 s, corresponding to a loading rate of 120.0 g m_PM^?3 h^?1. Monochlorobenzene and biomass concentration profiles along the biofilter evidenced the dependence of microbial concentration distribution on the pollutant loading rate and the existence of a linear relationship between biomass concentration and specific pollutant removal rate, regardless of the operating conditions applied. A macrokinetic analysis shows that the MCB removal rate is zeroth order for low values of MCB concentration. A critical value of MCB concentration exists at all superficial air velocity at which the biomass growth is inhibited. A simple kinetic model is developed which is able to describe the inhibition behaviour under any operating conditions. CONCLUSION: The experimental results indicated that the system was effective and stable under various working conditions and over a long operating period, provided that the loading conditions corresponding to substrate inhibition of microbial growth are not exceeded. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Treatment of methanol vapours in biofilters packed with inert materials

BACKGROUND: Methanol is a major pollutant emitted in Canada. Methanol is toxic to humans and it is associated with environmental problems such as smog generation. Biofiltration is a treatment method of considerable interest for controlling methanol emissions, because of its characteristics: no production of hazardous wastes, low energy consumption and low operating costs. The present study analyzed the effects of porous and non‐porous packing materials, the nitrogen concentration in nutrient solution and the methanol inlet load on biofilter performance and biofilm characteristics. RESULTS: The biofilter packed with porous material presented a removal efficiency up to 95%, which was higher than the 35% removal efficiency with the non‐porous material. Inlet load (IL) influenced the biomass and carbon dioxide production rates. The critical inlet load (IL_crit) occurred at 80 g m^?3 h^?1. The cellular densities of methylotrophs and non‐methylotrophs were affected by all operating variables examined. CONCLUSION: Biofiltration can be applied for controlling methanol emissions with high removal efficiency. The cellular density of methylotrophs is correlated with the performance of the biofilter. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Biofiltration of volatile organic compound using two packing materials: Kinetics and modelling

The performance of two laboratory scale biofilters, packed with pressmud (BF1) and sugarcane bagasse (BF2), was evaluated for gas phase ethylacetate removal under various operating conditions. Biofilters were inoculated with mixed culture obtained from pharmaceutical wastewater sludge. Experiments were carried out at different flow rates (0.03, 0.06, 0.09 and 0.12 m³ h^?1) and inlet ethylacetate concentrations (0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 1.2 gm^?3). Maximum removal efficiency (RE) of 100% and 98% was achieved at an inlet concentration of 0.2 gm^?3 and gas flow rate of 0.03 m³ h^?1 in BF1 and BF2, respectively. A maximum elimination capacity (EC) of 66.6 gm^?3 h^?1 and 64.1 gm^?3 h^?1 was obtained in BF1 and BF2, respectively, at an inlet concentration of 0.8 gm^?3 and a gas flow rate of 0.12 m³ h^?1. The kinetics of biofiltration of ethylacetate was studied by using Ottengraf and van den Oever model. The kinetic modelling gives an insight into the mechanism of biofiltration. The modified Ottengraf model, which was also tested, demonstrated good agreement between calculated and experimental data.     

Utilizing ultraviolet photooxidation as a pre‐treatment of volatile organic compounds upstream of a biological gas cleaning operation

Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the potential to utilize ultraviolet (UV) photooxidation as a pre‐treatment to render recalcitrant volatile organic compounds into more biodegradable compounds. α‐Pinene was selected due to its low water solubility and low biodegradability. α‐Pinene‐contaminated gaseous streams with inlet loadings between 250 and 2500 g m^?3 h^?1 were passed through an annular reactor equipped with a UV lamp that emitted light at 254 nm and 185 nm wavelengths. The outlet stream containing UV photooxidation intermediates was then sparged through nanopure water that was then analyzed for its total organic carbon (TOC) content and subjected to batch biodegradability tests. UV photooxidation effectively degraded α‐pinene with a maximum removal rate of about 700 g m^?3 h^?1. The removal rate followed first order kinetics at low inlet loadings (less than 1200 g m^?3 h^?1) and approached zero order behavior at higher inlet loadings. The principal oxidizing species in the reactor was ozone. Of the total α‐pinene removed, measured as TOC, 50% was converted to water‐soluble and more biodegradable intermediates. The biodegradability of the resultant intermediates was similar to that of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), which is 3–30 times more biodegradable than α‐pinene. These results show that the use of UV photooxidation is a promising and effective pre‐treatment technique for enhancing the biodegradability of hydrophobic and recalcitrant organic compounds such as α‐pinene. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Removal of dimethyl sulfide in a thermophilic membrane bioreactor

BACKGROUND: Several sources such as the paper and pulp industry and waste treatment plants emit waste gases containing volatile organic sulfur compounds at elevated temperature. Since cooling the hot gases increases the operational cost of biological reactors, application of thermophilic microorganisms could be a cost‐effective solution. The objectives of this study were to investigate the possibility of removal of dimethyl sulfide from waste gases under thermophilic conditions (52 °C) in a membrane bioreactor and to examine the long‐term stability of the reactor at elevated temperature. The effects of operating conditions such as gas residence time, nutrient supply, temperature decrease and short‐term shutdown on elimination capacity were investigated. RESULTS: A maximum elimination capacity of 54 g m^?3 h^?1 (0.108 g m^?2 h^?1) was obtained at a mass loading rate of 64 g m^?3 h^?1 (0.128 g m^?2 h^?1) with a removal efficiency of 84% at a gas residence time of 24 s. The long‐term operation of the thermophilic membrane bioreactor was followed for 9 months. Although the removal efficiency decreased to 50% after 3 months of continuous operation, it recovered (>96%) after the excess biomass was removed by applying high‐velocity liquid recirculation. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the dimethyl sulfide removal is possible in a thermophilic membrane bioreactor with an elimination capacity of 54 g m^?3 h^?1 (0.108 g m^?2 h^?1) at a gas residence time of 24 s. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Characterization of an organic filter medium for the biofiltration treatment of air contaminated with 1,2‐dichlorobenzene

Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the potential for removing 1,2‐dichlorobenzene (1,2‐DCB) in gaseous phase by biofiltration. Experiments were carried out over 8 months in a steel tank (0.45 m³) using an organic filter medium composed of peat, maple wood chips, chicken manure and 1,2‐DCB‐contaminated soil. During the first 6 months, the biofilter was operated without injecting 1,2‐DCB in order to characterize the physicochemical, mechanical and microbiological properties of the filter bed. The results revealed that it is an excellent medium for both microbial development (up to 10⁹ cells for heterotrophic bacteria) and long‐term stability with a limited drop of pressure (30 cm of water) and no clogging. Over the final 2 months, the biofilter treated air laden with 1,2‐DCB (0.30 and 0.75 g m^?3) and the maximum elimination capacity reached was 9 g m^?3 h^?1 (inlet load of 13 g m^?3 h^?1), which represented 69% efficiency. Elimination performance was strongly dependent upon inlet concentration, sorption/desorption and biodegradation phenomena occurring in the filter medium. Sorption/desorption and biodegradation mechanisms during the start‐up period were characterized using the elimination efficiency (%). At the beginning of the 1,2‐DCB injection, the microorganisms were strongly impacted and sorption/desorption phenomena prevailed. With the decrease of the inlet concentration, biodegradation progressively increased to become the most important mechanism. It was concluded that biofiltration possesses an excellent potential for treating volatile chlorinated benzene, known to be recalcitrant to biodegradation. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Performance evaluation of a water/silicone oil two‐phase partitioning bioreactor using Rhodococcus erythropolis T902.1 to remove volatile organic compounds from gaseous effluents

BACKGROUND: In the framework of biological processes used for waste gas treatment, the impact of the inoculum size on the start‐up performance needs to be better evaluated. Moreover, only a few studies have investigated the behaviour of elimination capacity and biomass viability in a two‐phase partitioning bioreactor (TPPB) used for waste gas treatment. Lastly, the impact of ethanol as a co‐substrate remains misunderstood. RESULTS: Firstly, no benefit of inoculation with a high cellular density (>1.5 g L^?1) was observed in terms of start‐up performance. Secondly, the TPPB was monitored for 38 days to characterise its behaviour under several operational conditions. The removal efficiency remained above 63% for an inlet concentration of 7 g isopropylbenzene (IPB) m^?3 and at some time points reached 92% during an intermittent loading phase (10 h day^?1), corresponding to a mean elimination capacity of 4 × 10^?3 g L^?1 min^?1 (240 g m^?3 h^?1) for a mean IPB inlet load of 6.19 × 10^?3 g L^?1 min^?1 (390 g m^?3 h^?1). Under continuous IPB loading, the performance of the TPPB declined, but the period of biomass acclimatisation to this operational condition was shorter than 5 days. The biomass grew to approximately 10 g L^?1 but the cellular viability changed greatly during the experiment, suggesting an endorespiration phenomenon in the bioreactor. It was also shown that simultaneous degradation of IPB and ethanol occurred, suggesting that ethanol improves the biodegradation process without causing oxygen depletion. CONCLUSION: A water/silicone oil TPPB with ethanol as co‐substrate allowed the removal of a high inlet load of IPB during an experiment lasting 38 days. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Control of H2S waste gas emissions with a biological activated carbon filter

The removal of high concentrations of H₂S from waste gases containing mixtures of H₂S and NH₃ was studied using the pilot‐scale biofilter. Granular activated carbon (GAC), selected as support material in this study, demonstrated its high adsorption capacity for H₂S and good gas distribution. Extensive tests to determine removal characteristics, removal efficiency, and removal capacity of high H₂S levels and coexisting NH₃ in the system were performed. In seeking the appropriate operating conditions, the response surface methodology (RSM) was employed. H₂S removal capacities were evaluated by the inoculated bacteria (biological conversion) and BDST (Bed Depth Service Time) methods (physical adsorption). An average 98% removal efficiency for 0.083–0.167 mg dm^?3 of H₂S and 0.004–0.021 mg dm^?3 of NH₃ gases was achieved during the operational period because of rapid physical adsorption by GAC and subsequently an effective biological regeneration of GAC by inoculated Pseudomonas putida CH11 and Arthrobacter oxydans CH8. The results showed that H₂S removal efficiency for the system was not affected by inlet NH₃ concentrations. In addition, no acidification was observed in the BAC biofilter. High buffer capacity and low moisture demand were also advantages of this system. The maximal inlet loading and critical loading for the system were 18.9 and 7.7 g‐H₂S m^?3 h^?1, respectively. The results of this study could be used as a guide for the further design and operation of industrial‐scale systems. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of inlet mass loading,water and total bacteria count on methanol elimination using upward flow and downward flow biofilters

An upward flow biofilter and a downward flow biofilter using compost for removing methanol from air were investigated to compare the biofilter performance and to realize the advantages of using downward flow biofilters for accessibility to water make‐up. Both the upward flow and downward flow columns showed similar performance in terms of elimination capacity (EC) versus inlet mass loading (IC). The maximum elimination capacity (EC) from these two biofilters was approximately 101 g m⁻³ h⁻¹ with an optimum methanol loading rate at inlet (IC) of 169 g m⁻³ h⁻¹ (7.5 g m⁻³ of methanol with superficial velocity of 7.6 m h⁻¹). The effect of water movement within the bed on elimination capacity was monitored. In addition, it was found that when the water content in the compost was below 35% by weight, microbial activity was impaired. Once the compost media had dried, it became hydrophobic and could be rewetted only with great difficulty. Total bacteria count was performed on compost samples during the entire operation. The relationship between elimination capacity and total bacteria count was reported. Similar trends were shown by the variations of elimination capacity and total bacteria count with methanol loading: both initially increase, go through a plateau, then decrease with loading. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

The treatment of waste-air containing mixed solvent using a biofilter: 1. Transient behavior of biofilter to treat waste-air containing ethanol

Transient behavior of a biofilter packed with mixed media (of granular activated carbon and compost) inoculated with a pure culture ofPseudomonas putida was observed at the height of each sampling port to treat wasteair containing ethanol. In addition, flooding effects of an excess supply of buffer solution was observed at each sampling port of the biofilter until it recovered the status prior to the flooding. Unlike previous investigations, various process conditions were applied to successive biofilter runs in order to monitor the corresponding unsteady behavior of the biofilter in this work. In early stage of biofilter run the removal efficiency of ethanol maintained almost 100%. However, it began to decrease when inlet load surpassed 100 g/m³/h consistent with maximum elimination capacity. At the end of biofilter-run removal efficiency was decreased and maintained at 40%. The results of this work were compared to those of such biofiltration studies as the work of Christen et al. from the point of view that pure cultures of microorganism were used in both works. Except for the period of flooding effect of the 2nd stage, the inlet load and removal efficiency continued at 105.5 g/m³/h and 95%, respectively, while they were 93.7 g/m³/h and 95%, respectively, according to the result of Christine et al. Removal efficiency remained at 90% for the beginning period of 3 days of the 3rd stage, and it gradually decreased to 60% for remaining 5 days of the stage with an inlet load of 158.26 g/m³/h, which may be interpreted as better than the result of Christine et al. Their result was that the removal efficiency on the inlet load of 154 g/m³/h of ethanol was continued to be 60% for 6 days of a separate biofilter run and decreased to 40% later. Thus, with similar inlet loads of ethanol, removal efficiency of this work was equivalent to or higher than that of Christine et al.     

Comparison of chemical wet scrubbers and biofiltration for control of volatile organic compounds using GC/MS techniques and kinetic analysis

Increasing public concerns and EPA air regulations in non‐attainment zones necessitate the remediation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) generated in the poultry‐rendering industry. Wet scrubbers using chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) have low overall removal efficiencies due to lack of reactivity with aldehydes. Contrary to wet scrubbers, a biofilter system successfully treated the aldehyde fraction, based on GC/MS analysis of inlet and outlet streams. Total VOC removal efficiencies ranged from 40 to 100% for the biofilter, kinetic analysis indicated that the overall removal capacity approached 25 g m⁻³ h⁻¹, and aldehyde removal efficiency was significantly higher compared with chemical wet scrubbers. Process temperatures monitored in critical unit operations upstream from the biofilter varied significantly during operation, rising as much as 30 °C within a few minutes. However, the outlet air temperature of a high intensity scrubber remained relatively constant at 40 °C, although the inlet air temperature fluctuated from 50 to 65 °C during monitoring. These data suggest a hybrid process combining a wet scrubber and biofilter in series could be used to improve overall VOC removal efficiencies and process stability. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

A Study of the Biofiltration of High‐Loads of Toluene in Air: Carbon and Water Balances,Temperature Changes and Nitrogen Effect

Biodegradable atmospheric pollutants, released at low to moderate concentrations, can be removed by biofiltration. In this work, a laboratory‐scale compost‐based biofilter has been evaluated for the removal of high levels of toluene in air (～ 4.0 g.m^?3). By applying a variable nitrogen input in the irrigation solution, it was shown that the biodegradation extent can be controlled through the nutrient supply. The maximum elimination capacity achieved was 135 g.m^?3.h^?1, for a N‐concentration of 3.0 g of N.L^?1. A quantitative analysis of the bioreaction aspects (stoichiometry, temperature) led to the determination of the water flow rates associated with the toluene oxidation. Thus, it was estimated that some 530 to 800 g of water.day^?1 were lost at the bioreactor outlet, but were balanced by the irrigation system.     

Styrene degradation along the bed height of perlite biofilter

The whole bed height of a biofilter was divided into four individual reactor stages in series. This configuration permits a measurement of the leachate pH of each stage individually and minimizes interstage mixing of the immobilized culture. The extent to which the residence time of pollutant in the filter bed influenced biodegradation characteristics and the composition of immobilized culture under conditions of a constant loading rate was studied using a perlite biofilter having an internal diameter of 50 mm and the bed height of each stage being 27 cm. The residence time of pollutant in the bed had no influence on the removal efficiency and the elimination capacity of the whole biofilter although some changes of these parameters in the individual stages were observed. The biofilter achieved an elimination capacity of 140 gm^?3 h^?1 at removal efficiencies greater than 90%. Degradation activity decreased the pH value of the leachate to 3.5–3.0. Microbial analyses showed that styrene was degraded by eukaryotic cells at low pH values. At pH values above 4.0 prokaryotes were also present in the mixed culture. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry