Insights into siloxane removal from biogas in biotrickling filters via process mapping-based analysis

Data process mapping using response surface methodology (RSM)-based computational techniques is performed in this study for the diagnosis of a laboratory-scale biotrickling filter applied for siloxane (i.e. octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) and decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5)) removal from biogas. A mathematical model describing the process performance (i.e. Si removal efficiency, %) was obtained as a function of key operating parameters (e.g biogas flowrate, D4 and D5 concentration). The contour plots and the response surfaces generated for the obtained objective function indicate a minimization trend in siloxane removal performance, however a maximum performance of approximately 60% Si removal efficiency was recorded. Analysis of the process mapping results provides indicators of improvement to biological system performance. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.