Determination of filter bed structure characteristics and influence on performance of a 3D matrix biofilter in gaseous chlorobenzene treatment

Abstract

The structure characteristics of filter bed greatly affect biofilter performance. In this study, a three-dimensional (3D) matrix biofilter packed with perlite and high mechanical strength 3D matrix material was established. The structure characteristics of the filter bed and the performance of 3D matrix biofilter and control biofilter (packed with perlite) were investigated. The 3D matrix biofilter presented higher chlorobenzene removal performance and lower bed compaction and pressure drop than the control biofilter. The packing factor, which could be used to represent the resistance when the gas stream passed through the filter bed, of the 3D matrix biofilter (7.59 × 105 m−1) was smaller than that of the control biofilter (1.04 × 106 m−1). Moreover, the specific surface area obtained from the molecular residence time distribution curves in the 3D matrix biofilter was higher (1754.82 ± 35.82 m2/m3) than that in the control biofilter (1474.03 ± 25.52 m2/m3), indicating improvements in mass transfer and performance. The characteristic parameters for mass transfer coefficient estimation in the biofilters were determined based on Onda’s modified correlation. 3D matrix biofilter demonstrated higher mass transfer coefficients than the control biofilter due to its higher specific surface area.