Biotrickling filters for the removal of gaseous ammonia emissions from livestock facilities. Theoretical prediction of removal efficiency and experimental validation

• Published in: Chemical engineering journal (Lausanne, Switzerland : 1996) Vol. 402; p. 126188
• Main Authors: Dumont, Eric, Poser, Morgane, Peu, Pascal, Couvert, Annabelle
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.12.2020; Elsevier
• Subjects: Ammonia; Biofiltration; Chemical and Process Engineering; Electrical conductivity; Engineering Sciences; Environmental Engineering; Environmental Sciences; Livestock facilities; Mass transfer; Removal efficiency; Ammonia; Electrical conductivity; Livestock facilities; Biofiltration; Removal efficiency; Mass transfer; Electrical Conductivity
• ISSN: 1385-8947; 1873-3212
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2020.126188

•The theoretical ability of a biotrickling filter to treat NH3 is proposed.•Theoretical calculations are validated by experimental results.•The removal efficiency depends on the physical properties of the washing liquid.•pH, electrical conductivity and temperature are the main influencing parameters.•Theoretical RE could be used as a diagnostic tool to identify apparatus failure. From theoretical calculations validated by the results of experiments, it was shown that the properties of the washing liquid that flows into biotrickling filters at livestock facilities determine the maximum ammonia removal efficiency (RE) that can be achieved. For a well-designed biotrickling filter not limited by hydrodynamic conditions, the ammonia driving force is mainly controlled by the pH, and also by the electrical conductivity (ECL), although to a lesser extent. With the washing liquid at a given temperature, therefore, the removal efficiency depends on the gaseous ammonia concentrations to be treated (CGin; usually lower than 20 mgNH3 m−3) and on the values of the pair (pH, ECL). Theoretical prediction of the maximum removal efficiency that can be achieved by simply measuring the properties of the washing liquid, in line or from samples, could be a useful diagnostic tool to identify possible failure of the apparatus and to manage the electrical conductivity to guarantee removal efficiency at a desired rate.