Comparison of four methods to solve clogging issues in a fungi-based bio-trickling filter

Abstract

To solve clogging-related issues after the long-term operation of a fungi-based bio-trickling filter (BTF) which started with Fusarium oxysporum, an in-depth analysis on the mechanisms of four △P control methods, including biological, nutrient control, physical and stagnation methods, were investigated. The biological control method showed superior performance compared to other approaches. It reduced the △P from 1000 Pa to 100 Pa within one week, and remained the △P at this level for two months, with maintained removal efficiency (RE) of nearly 100%. The average RE during the high △P period was 88.6%, and a maximum toluene elimination capacity of 125.4 g m−3 h-1 was achieved at an empty bed residence time of 27 s. This study is the first comparison of these four pressure-reducing techniques in a fungi-based BTF, and obtained an effective biological control method, which is of great value for the further industrial application of the BTFs.