Simultaneous biofiltration of H2S, NH3 and toluene using cork as a packing material

• Published in: The Korean journal of chemical engineering Vol. 26; no. 1; pp. 79 - 85
• Main Authors: Park, Byoung-Gi, Shin, Won Sik, Chung, Jong-Shik
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 2009; 한국화학공학회
• Subjects: Biotechnology; Catalysis; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Environmental Engineering; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Materials Science; 화학공학; Ammonia; Cork; Toluene; Hydrogen Sulfide; Carrier; Biofilter; Odor
• ISSN: 0256-1115; 1975-7220
• DOI: 10.1007/s11814-009-0013-1

Simultaneous removal of ternary gases of NH 3 , H 2 S and toluene in a contaminated air stream was investigated over 185 days in a biofilter packed with cork as microbial support. Multi-microorganisms including Nitrosomonas and Nitrobactor for nitrogen removal, Thiobacillus thioparus (ATCC 23645) for H2S removal and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15692), Pseudomonas putida (ATCC 17484) and Pseudomonas putida (ATCC 23973) for toluene removal were used simultaneously. The empty bed residence time (EBRT) was 40–120 seconds and the inlet feed concentration was 50-180 ppmv for NH 3 , 30–160 ppmv for H 2 S and 40–130 ppmv for toluene, respectively. The observed removal efficiency was 45–100% for NH 3 , 96–100% for H 2 S, and 10–99% for toluene, respectively. Maximum elimination capacity was 5.5 g/m 3 /hr for NH 3 , >20.4 g/m 3 /hr for H 2 S and 4.5 g/m 3 /hr for toluene, respectively. During long-term operation, the removal efficiency of toluene gradually decreased, mainly due to depositions of elemental sulfur and ammonium sulfate on the cork surface. The results of microbial analysis showed that nearly the same population density was observed on the surfaces of cork chips collected at each sampling point. Kinetic model analyses showed that there were no particular evidences of interactions or inhibitions among the microorganisms.