Modeling removal of air contaminants by biofiltration

Journal Article · Sat Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1994 · Journal of Environmental Engineering (New York); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9372(1995)121:1(21)· OSTI ID:6709512

Hodge, D S ^[1]; Devinny, J S ^[2]

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1. Reynolds Group, Tustin, CA (United States)
2. Univ. of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA (United States). Dept. of Civil Engineering

A mathematical model was developed that describes basic transport and biological processes for a biofilter. The model described transfer between the air and solids/water phases, biological degradation of the substrate, CO[sub 2] production and accumulation, and pH changes resulting from CO[sub 2]accumulation. Model equations were solved using a two-step, explicit, finite difference approximation technique, and solutions were tested on simplified problems with known analytical results. Experimental data were compared with the predictive model solutions for steady-state and non-steady-state regimes. The effects of adsorption were separated from the effects of biodegradation by experiments using varying input contaminant concentrations. Laboratory experiments used compost, granular activated carbon, and a mixture of compost and diatomaceous earth as biofilter packing materials to treat ethanol vapors. While adsorptive capacity of the granular activated carbon was substantially reduced by water and microbial growth, it remained highest for the three media. The compost microbial community had a higher degradation rate constant. Carbon provided the best treatment overall.

• OSTI ID: 6709512
• Journal Information: Journal of Environmental Engineering (New York); (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Environmental Engineering (New York); (United States) Vol. 121:1; ISSN 0733-9372; ISSN JOEEDU
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
ACTIVATED CARBON
ADSORBENTS
ALCOHOLS
BIODEGRADATION
BIOREACTORS
CALCULATION METHODS
CARBON
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
ELEMENTS
ETHANOL
FINITE DIFFERENCE METHOD
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
ITERATIVE METHODS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NONMETALS
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
SORPTIVE PROPERTIES
SURFACE PROPERTIES
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT