| Title: | Evaluation of trickle-bed air biofilter performance under periodic stressed operating conditions as a function of styrene loading |
| Address: | "Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0071, USA" |
| DOI: | 10.1080/10473289.2005.10464611 |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1096-2247 (Print) 1096-2247 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Trickle-bed air biofilters (TBABs) are suitable for treating volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at a significantly high practical loading because of their controlled environmental conditions. The application of TBAB for treating styrene-contaminated air under periodic backwashing and cyclical nonuse periods at a styrene loading of 0.64-3.17 kg chemical oxygen demand (COD)/m3 x day was the main focus of this study. Consistent long-term efficient performance of TBAB strongly depended on biomass control. A periodic in situ upflow with nutrient solution under media fluidization, that is, backwashing, was approached in this study. Two different nonuse periods were employed to simulate a shutdown for equipment repair or during weekends and holidays. The first is a starvation period without styrene loading, and the second is a stagnant period, which reflects no flow passing through the biofilter. For styrene loadings up to 1.9 kg COD/m3 x day, removal efficiencies consistently above 99% were achieved by conducting a coordinated biomass control strategy, that is, backwashing for 1 hr once per week. Under cyclical nonuse periods for styrene loadings up to 1.27 kg COD/m3 x day, stable long-term performance of the biofilter was maintained at more than 99% removal without employing backwashing. No substantial impact of nonuse periods on the biofilter performance was revealed. However, a coordinated biomass control by backwashing subsequently was unavoidable for attaining consistently high removal efficiency at a styrene loading of 3.17 kg COD/m3 x day. As styrene loading was increased, reacclimation of the biofilter to reach the 99% removal efficiency following backwashing or the nonuse periods was delayed. After the non-use periods, the response of the biofilter was a strong function of the biomass in the bed. No significant difference between the effects of the two different nonuse periods on TBAB performance was observed during the study period" |
| Keywords: | "Air Movements Air Pollution/*prevention & control Biodegradation, Environmental Biomass Filtration Kinetics Styrene/*isolation & purification Volatilization;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineKim, Daekeun Cai, Zhangli Sorial, George A eng Evaluation Study Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. 2005/03/31 J Air Waste Manag Assoc. 2005 Feb; 55(2):200-9. doi: 10.1080/10473289.2005.10464611" |
