Biodegradation technology for volatile organic compound removal from airstreams. Phase 1: Performance verification. Final report
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and toxic air pollutants are emitted in significant quantities from wastewater treatment plants (POTWs, or publicly owned treatment works). However, the concentrations are low, presenting a challenge for emissions control. Laboratory and field studies verified the potential application of microbial packed bed systems (biofilters) for the removal of VOCs from off-gases resulting from wastewater treatment. The contractor built a pilot scale biofilter designed to treat about 200 cfm of air, consisting of a reactor chamber, gas intake system, humidification chamber, a gas flow measurement system, and a filter bed. The filter medium consisted of compost obtained from a POTW, with perlite and crushed oyster shells added. The biofilter was installed at a headworks for incoming sewage at a POTW. After an acclimation period of several days, appreciable removal of VOCs was observed. In the field, removals of benzene, toluene, and hydrogen sulfide were generally over 90 percent. However, removals of chlorinated compounds were varied, and generally were below 40 percent of the inlet concentrations. Hydrogen sulfide removal was consistently greater than 99 percent, and the resulting odors were not unpleasant.
- Research Organization:
- California Univ., Davis, CA (United States). Center for Environmental and Water Resources Engineering
- OSTI ID:
- 7184380
- Report Number(s):
- PB-93-122372/XAB; CNN: ARB-A032-127
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AIR POLLUTION
ALKYLATED AROMATICS
AROMATICS
BENZENE
BIODEGRADATION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMPOST
DECOMPOSITION
ELEMENTS
FLUID FLOW
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
GAS FLOW
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN
IGNEOUS ROCKS
INTAKE
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
MICROORGANISMS
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC WASTES
PERFORMANCE
PERLITE
PILOT PLANTS
POLLUTION
REMOVAL
ROCKS
SEWAGE
SHELLS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
TOLUENE
TOXIC MATERIALS
VERIFICATION
VOLCANIC ROCKS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES