Evaluation of a packing material for the biodegradation of H2S and product analysis

A packing material based on pig manure and sawdust was used for biofiltrationpurposes. The biofilter was made up of three exchangeable modules and the operation was carried out for 2500 h, during which the H2S mass loading rate was increased from 10 to 45 g m(-3) h(-1) with two superficial gas velocities (100 and 200 m h(-1)). The removal efficiencies of the whole biofilter were due mainly to the degradation activity of the first and second modules and the packing material proved to be chemically and mechanically suitable during the operation. The main by-product obtained in the biodegradation process was elemental sulphur, as it accounted for more than 82% of the total sulphur amount accumulated in the packing material. Sulphur deposition does not plug the bed for operation periods of 2500 h and the biofilter is easily cleaned by flushing water through the inlet. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.