Treatment of complex gaseous emissions emitted by a rendering facility using a semi‐industrial biofilter

Abstract

AbstractBACKGROUNDTo improve process design, and scale‐up of gas biofilters, a thorough understanding of compounds degradation mechanisms within model engineering biofilters is needed. The aim of this study is then to investigate the spatial distribution of pollutants removal within an experimental semi‐industrial biofilter fed with industrial emissions from a rendering plant.RESULTSA stratification pattern of pollutants removal has been highlighted: nitrogenous compounds, esters, volatile fatty acids (VFA), alcohols, ketones and aldehydes are completely or mostly removed especially in the biofilter layers near the gas inlet. In return, the removal of sulphur compounds seems to begin when nitrogenous and oxygenated compounds are almost fully degraded. A sequential degradation of sulphur compounds is also observed: hydrogen sulphide is eliminated in the biofilter section near the gas inlet while methylmercaptan (removal efficiency 87%) and dimethyl disulphide (DMDS) (removal efficiency 73%) are mainly eliminated in the second half of the column.CONCLUSIONAn on‐site semi‐industrial biofilter used for waste gas abatement in an animal‐rendering plant exhibited spatial distribution of the compounds removal efficiency. The removal of organic sulphur compounds is not complete. Hence, this work emphasizes the importance of improving gas biofilters to achieve complete elimination of pollutants causing unpleasant odours. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry