Start-up and the effect of gaseous ammonia additions on a biofilter for the elimination of toluene vapors

Journal Article · Fri Nov 20 04:00:00 EST 1998 · Biotechnology and Bioengineering

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0290(19981120)60:4<483::AID-BIT10>3.0.CO;2-J· OSTI ID:318873

Morales, M; Revah, S ^[1]; Auria, R ^[2]

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1. UAM-Iztapalapa, Distrito Federal (Mexico). Dept. de Ingenieria de Procesos e Hidraulica
2. ORSTOM, Los Morales (Mexico)

Biotechnological techniques, including biofilters and biotrickling filters are increasingly used to treat air polluted with VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). In this work, the start-up, the effect of the gaseous ammonia addition on the toluene removal rate, and the problems of the heat accumulation on the performance of a laboratory scale biofilter were studied. The packing material was sterilized peat enriched with a mineral medium and inoculated with an adapted consortium (two yeast and five bacteria). Start-up showed a short adaptation period and an increased toluene elimination capacity (EC) up to a maximum of 190 g/m{sup 3}/h. This was related to increased CO{sub 2} outlet concentration and temperature gradients between the packed bed and the inlet (Tm-Tin). These events were associated with the growth of the microbial population. The biofilter EC decreased thereafter, to attain a steady state of 8 g/m{sup 3}/h. At this point, gaseous ammonia was added. EC increased up to 80 g/m{sup 3}/h, with simultaneous increases on the CO{sub 2} concentration and (Tm-Tin).

• OSTI ID: 318873
• Journal Information: Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Journal Name: Biotechnology and Bioengineering Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 60; ISSN 0006-3592; ISSN BIBIAU
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION ABATEMENT
AMMONIA
BIODEGRADATION
BIOREACTORS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
TOLUENE