Effects of gas flow rate, inlet concentration and temperature on biofiltration of volatile organic compounds in a peat-packed biofilter

The effects of incoming gas concentration, empty bed residence time (EBRT), and column temperature on the removal efficiency of volatile organic compounds (isoprene, dimethyl sulfide, chloroform, benzene, trichloroethylene, toluene, in-xylene, o-xylene and styrene) were studied for 101 d in a biofllter comprising two glass columns (I.D. 5.0 cm x height 62 cm) packed with peat. At an EBRT of 3 min the removal efficiency increased up to 90% 34 d after start up at both 25degreesC and 45degreesC when the incoming gas concentration was raised stepwise to 65 g . m(-3). When the incoming gas concentration increased to 83 g . m(-3), the removal efficiency was 93% at 25degreesC, but dropped to 74% at 45degreesC. At an incoming gas concentration of 92 g . m(-3) and an EBRT of 1.5 min, the removal efficiencies were 91% and 94% at 25degreesC and 32degreesC, respectively. However, at 1 min of EBRT, the removal efficiencies decreased to 68% and 81% at 25degreesC and 32degreesC, respectively. The removal rate per unit time and per unit volume of the biofilter was proportional to the incoming gas rate up to 3483 g VOC . m(-3) . h(-1). Further increase of the incoming gas rate lowered the removal rate as compared to that predicted by the proportionality. The maximum removal rate was 3977 g . m(-3). h(-1) at 32degreesC. At an EBRT of 1.5 min, the removal efficiency was highest for isoprene (93%), and lowest for chloroform (84%). Aromatic compounds (benzene, toluene, and xylene) were removed by 93-94%. The cell concentration increased 100-fold from the initial value, and reached 1.12x10(8) cells - (g of dry peat)(-1). At 32degreesC, 67% of the incoming VOC was removed in the first quarter of the column.