Performance of biotrickling filters for hydrogen sulfide removal under starvation and shock loads conditions

• Published in: Journal of Zhejiang University. B. Science Vol. 10; no. 8; pp. 595 - 601
• Main Authors: Zhang, Lan-he, Meng, Xiu-li, Wang, Ying, Liu, Li-dan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg SP Zhejiang University Press 01.08.2009; Springer Nature B.V; Zhejiang University Press
• Subjects: Bacteria; Bacteria - metabolism; Biomass; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Bioreactors; Biotechnology; Colony Count, Microbial; Filtration - methods; Fluctuation; Hydrogen sulfide; Hydrogen Sulfide - isolation & purification; Hydrogen Sulfide - metabolism; Liquids; Shock loads; Sprayers; Sprays; 产业化经营; 冲击负荷; 性能; 硫化氢; 硫化物; 细菌数量; 过滤器; 饥饿; Biotrickling filter; Hydrogen sulfide; Starvation; Odor; X512; Shock loads
• ISSN: 1673-1581; 1862-1783; 1862-1783
• DOI: 10.1631/jzus.B0920064

In the industrial operation of biotrickling filters for hydrogen sulfide （H2S） removal, shock loads or starvation was common due to process variations or equipment malfunctions. In this study, effects of starvation and shock loads on the performance of biotrickling filters for H2S removal were investigated. Four experiments were conducted to evaluate the changes of biomass and viable bacteria numbers in the biotrickling filters during a 24-d starvation. Compared to biomass, viable bacteria numbers decreased significantly during the starvation, especially when airflow was maintained in the absence of spray liquid. During the subsequent re-acclimation, all the bioreactors could resume high removal efficiencies within 4 d regardless of the previous starvation conditions. The results show that the re-acclimation time, in the case ofbiotrickling filters for H2S removal, is mainly controlled by viable H2S oxidizing bacteria numbers. On the other hand, the biotrickling filters can protect against shock loads in inlet fluctuating H2S concentration after resuming normal operation. When the biotrickling filters were supplied with H2S at an input of lower than 1700 mg/m^3, their removal efficiencies were nearly 98% regardless of previous H2S input.