A study of clogging in a biofilter treating toluene vapors

Delhoménie, Marie-Caroline; Bibeau, Louise; Gendron, Julie; Brzeziński, Ryszard; Heitz, Michèle

doi:10.1016/s1385-8947(03)00052-4

Cited by 105 publications

(65 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…These results are in concordance with the high biodegradation activity registered in the top of the biofilter, according to measured carbon dioxide production. Although starvation is used as a technique to wash out the excess of biomass inside a biofilter in some cases (Delhomenie et al 2003), in the present study pressure drop did not decrease during the lack of feeding.…”

Section: Sorption and Biodegradation Processes Interactioncontrasting

confidence: 56%

Interaction between sorption and biodegradation in a biofilter packed with activated carbon

Dorado

Lafuente

Gabriel

et al. 2012

Water Science and Technology

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The main objective of this study is to evaluate qualitatively and quantitatively the effect of starvation periods in the biodegradation capacity of microorganisms when the support media is a material with high sorption capacity. Pollutant sorption and biodegradation, which occur simultaneously in the biofilter, describe the overall behavior of the air treatment system during normal operation and during starvation periods. Results obtained in the present study demonstrate that sorption capacity of the material not only plays an important role during the start-up of operation, but it is also important in the steady operation. Simultaneously, as biomass grows on the support, biodegradation becomes more decisive in the performance. It was found that zones of packing material with low moisture content are controlled by the sorption mechanism, at expenses of biodegradation, and they are essential as pollutant reservoir during starvation periods. In the present study a significant decrease in the biodegradation capacity of microorganisms immobilized on activated carbon were not observed as consequence of continuously load interruptions.

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Section: Sorption and Biodegradation Processes Interactioncontrasting

confidence: 56%

Interaction between sorption and biodegradation in a biofilter packed with activated carbon

Dorado

Lafuente

Gabriel

et al. 2012

Water Science and Technology

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“…Several methods have been reported to develop solutions to clogging problems, including bed backwashing with water, 31 chemical treatment with acid or alkali, 32 utilizing biomass predators, 33 or nutrient limitation. 37 Unfortunately, most of these methods are not easy to implement on an industrial or pilot-plant scale, or these methods can promote a decrease in degradation of VOCs. 37 Recently, it was reported 23 that 2 days per week of starvation cycles can be used as a control method for biomass growth.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…37 Unfortunately, most of these methods are not easy to implement on an industrial or pilot-plant scale, or these methods can promote a decrease in degradation of VOCs. 37 Recently, it was reported 23 that 2 days per week of starvation cycles can be used as a control method for biomass growth. In this case and to prevent clogging problems, the authors decided to develop a similar method but including biofilm dehydration.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance of a Pilot-Scale Biotrickling Filter in Controlling the Volatile Organic Compound Emissions in a Furniture Manufacturing Facility

Martínez‐Soria

Gabaldón

Penya-Roja

et al. 2009

Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association

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A 0.75-m 3 pilot-scale biotrickling filter was run for over 1 yr in a Spanish furniture company to evaluate its performance in the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) contained in the emission of two different paint spray booths. The first one was an open front booth used to manually paint furniture, and the second focus was an automatically operated closed booth operated to paint pieces of furniture. In both cases, the VOC emissions were very irregular, with rapid and extreme fluctuations. The pilot plant was operated at an empty bed residence time (EBRT) ranging from 10 to 40 sec, and good removal efficiencies of VOCs were usually obtained. When a buffering activated carbon prefilter was installed, the system performance was improved considerably, so a much better compliance with legal constraints was reached. After different shutdowns in the factory, the period to recover the previous performance of the biotrickling reactor was minimal. A weekend dehydration strategy was developed and implemented to control the pressure drop associated with excessive biomass accumulation.

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“…For this reason, some reports have focused on biomass control for longterm operation of biofiltration. Reported biomass control strategies include bed irrigation, 11 stimulation of protozoan predation, 12 mechanical methods employing bed stirring and bed washing 9 and sodium hydroxide washing, 10 and periodic backwashing with full-medium fluidization. 2,5,7,8 Most of these methods have major drawbacks, such as the subsequent reduction in biofilter performance because of the loss of active biomass.…”

Section: Technical Papermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2,5,7,8 Most of these methods have major drawbacks, such as the subsequent reduction in biofilter performance because of the loss of active biomass. 9 The reported studies employing the periodic backwashing strategy demonstrated that the long-term performance of biofilters could be maintained at high removal efficiencies in the 99% level for a toluene loading of 4.1 kg chemical oxygen demand (COD)/m 3 ⅐day 5 and for a styrene loading of 4.26 kg COD/m 3 ⅐day. 2 However, because biomass buildup is related mainly to contaminant loading in the biofilter, 7 fluctuations in performance will occur when there are sudden changes in contaminant loading and insufficient time for microbial reacclimation after conducting the biomass control strategy.…”

Section: Technical Papermentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Trickle-Bed Air Biofilter Performance under Periodic Stressed Operating Conditions as a Function of Styrene Loading

Kim

Cai

Sorial

2005

Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association

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Trickle-bed air biofilters (TBABs) are suitable for treating volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at a significantly high practical loading because of their controlled environmental conditions. The application of TBAB for treating styrene-contaminated air under periodic backwashing and cyclical nonuse periods at a styrene loading of 0.64 -3.17 kg chemical oxygen demand (COD)/m 3 ⅐day was the main focus of this study. Consistent long-term efficient performance of TBAB strongly depended on biomass control. A periodic in situ upflow with nutrient solution under media fluidization, that is, backwashing, was approached in this study. Two different nonuse periods were employed to simulate a shutdown for equipment repair or during weekends and holidays. The first is a starvation period without styrene loading, and the second is a stagnant period, which reflects no flow passing through the biofilter.For styrene loadings up to 1.9 kg COD/m 3 ⅐day, removal efficiencies consistently above 99% were achieved by conducting a coordinated biomass control strategy, that is, backwashing for 1 hr once per week. Under cyclical nonuse periods for styrene loadings up to 1.27 kg COD/m 3 ⅐day, stable long-term performance of the biofilter was maintained at more than 99% removal without employing backwashing. No substantial impact of nonuse periods on the biofilter performance was revealed. However, a coordinated biomass control by backwashing subsequently was unavoidable for attaining consistently high removal efficiency at a styrene loading of 3.17 kg COD/m 3 ⅐day.As styrene loading was increased, reacclimation of the biofilter to reach the 99% removal efficiency following backwashing or the nonuse periods was delayed. After the nonuse periods, the response of the biofilter was a strong function of the biomass in the bed. No significant difference between the effects of the two different nonuse periods on TBAB performance was observed during the study period.

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A study of clogging in a biofilter treating toluene vapors

Cited by 105 publications

References 24 publications

Interaction between sorption and biodegradation in a biofilter packed with activated carbon

Interaction between sorption and biodegradation in a biofilter packed with activated carbon

Performance of a Pilot-Scale Biotrickling Filter in Controlling the Volatile Organic Compound Emissions in a Furniture Manufacturing Facility

Evaluation of Trickle-Bed Air Biofilter Performance under Periodic Stressed Operating Conditions as a Function of Styrene Loading

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