Removal of gasoline volatile organic compounds via air biofiltration

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:479366

Miller, R S; Saberiyan, A G; Esler, C T ^[1]; DeSantis, P ^[2]; Andrilenas, J S ^[3]

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1. AGRA Earth and Environmental, Inc., Portland, OR (United States)
2. BP Oil Co., Renton, WA (United States)
3. AGRA Earth and Environmental, Inc., Phoenix, AZ (United States)

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) generated by vapor extraction and air-stripping systems can be biologically treated in an air biofiltration unit. An air biofilter consists of one or more beds of packing material inoculated with heterotrophic microorganisms capable of degrading the organic contaminant of concern. Waste gases and oxygen are passed through the inoculated packing material, where the microorganisms will degrade the contaminant and release CO{sub 2} + H{sub 2}O. Based on data obtained from a treatability study, a full-scale unit was designed and constructed to be used for treating gasoline vapors generated by a vapor-extraction and groundwater-treatment system at a site in California. The unit is composed of two cylindrical reactors with a total packing volume of 3 m{sup 3}. Both reactors are packed with sphagnum moss and inoculated with hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms of Pseudomonas and Arthrobacter spp. The two reactors are connected in series for air-flow passage. Parallel lines are used for injection of water, nutrients, and buffer to each reactor. Data collected during the startup program have demonstrated an air biofiltration unit with high organic-vapor-removal efficiency.

• OSTI ID: 479366
• Report Number(s): CONF-950483--; ISBN 1-57477-010-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
BIODEGRADATION
BIOREACTORS
CALIFORNIA
HYDROCARBONS
OIL SPILLS
REMEDIAL ACTION
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT