Control of organo-sulfur emissions using biofiltration: Dimethyl sulfide
- Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL (United States). Dept. of Environmental Engineering Sciences
Laboratory-scale experiments were conducted to evaluate the removal of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) in both upflow and downflow compost biofilter columns. Gas flow rates and DMS concentrations were varied to study their effects on removal efficiency. The kinetic dependence of DMS removal along the column length was also examined to obtain a quantitative description of pollutant removal. In addition, important operating parameters, such as filter bed pH and water content, as well as gas retention time, were observed throughout the experiments. The maximum pollutant loading rates for the compost filters were found to be 5.2 and 5.5 g-DMS/m{sup 3}/hr for the upflow and downflow biofilter columns, respectively. Removal efficiencies were high (> 95%) for inlet concentrations up to 15 ppm DMS and 30 second empty-bed residence times, or 19 ppm DMS for 45 second residence times. Removal efficiencies remained high (> 95%) for DMS concentrations up to 27 ppm for 60 second residence times. DMS removal rates through the biofilter columns appear to follow fractional-order diffusion-limited macrokinetics. The average macrokinetic rate coefficient for the upflow column was 0.0789 {+-} 0.0178 ppm{sup 1/2}/sec. The average rate coefficient for the downflow column was 0.0935 {+-}0.0200 ppm{sup 1/2}/sec. The biofilter columns were periodically washed to remove sulfuric acid, which is formed as an end-product of the biological degradation of DMS, and to replenish the moisture content of the filter material. It was found that the downflow column benefitted greatly by regular washing with alkaline washwater, while the upflow column operated well with non-alkaline water washing.
- OSTI ID:
- 351119
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-970677--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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