Abstract
The removal of high concentrations of 1-butanol in an air stream was evaluated with a biotrickling filter for potential application to an industrial off-gas. Experiments were conducted on a laboratory-scale system, packed with perlite, in a co-current downward mode with constant recycling of water. The performance was monitored for different inlet concentrations and empty bed residence times during a period of over 60 days of stable operation. A maximum elimination capacity (EC) of 100 g m−3 h−1 was achieved during periods in which the butanol concentration varied from 0.55 to 4.65 g m−3. The removal efficiency was stable and exceeded 80% for butanol concentrations in the range of 0.4 to 1.2 g m−3, corresponding to inlet mass loadings of up to approximately 100 g m−3 h−1. However, when the concentration exceeded 4 g m−3, removal efficiency rapidly dropped to 15% (EC of 22 g m−3 h−1), indicating an inhibition effect that was reversed by decreasing the inlet concentration. This biotrickling filter was able to deal with higher sustained butanol concentrations than have been previously reported, but might not be suitable for concentrations much in excess of 1.2 g m−3 or mass inlet loads in excess of 100 g m−3 h−1.
Highlights
The emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the environment need to be controlled appropriately to protect or improve local air quality and to minimize tropospheric ozone formation. several different technologies are available, biological air treatment has attracted interest, especially for applications with moderate VOC concentrations below 10 g m−3 [1,2], because of its potentially favourable economics [3]
When the concentration exceeded 4 g m−3, removal efficiency rapidly dropped to 15% (EC of 22 g m−3 h−1 ), indicating an inhibition effect that was reversed by decreasing the inlet concentration
This biotrickling filter was able to deal with higher sustained butanol concentrations than have been previously reported, but might not be suitable for concentrations much in excess of 1.2 g m−3 or mass inlet loads in excess of 100 g m−3 h−1
Summary
Several different technologies are available, biological air treatment has attracted interest, especially for applications with moderate VOC concentrations below 10 g m−3 [1,2], because of its potentially favourable economics [3]. In comparison to conventional pollution control technologies, such as absorption, catalytic oxidation, condensation, and incineration, biological air treatment appears to have advantages which include high removal efficiencies, low installation and operating costs, good reliability, stable performance, and applicability to situations with larger volumes of waste gases containing lower concentrations of VOCs. Numerous examples of successful applications in the treatment of VOCs and odours can be found in literature [4,5,6]. Biotrickling filtration has several potential advantages for systems that are difficult to pre-humidify, or that present challenges in pH and/or temperature control [7,8]
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