Biofiltration Control of Hydrogen Sulfide 2. Kinetics, Biofilter Performance, and Maintenance

Abstract

The kinetics of H 2 S oxidation in a biofilter were evaluated and the reaction rates determined to be first-order at low concentrations (<200 ppm), zero-order at high concentrations (>400 ppm), and fractional-order in the intermediate concentration range for H 2 S in the inlet waste gas. The overall performance of the biofilter system and changes in compost properties were investigated for 200 days of operation. The compost biofiiter showed good buffering capacities to variations in gas flow rate and pollutant (H 2 S) loading impacts. Hydrogen sulfide removal efficiencies exceeding 99.9% were consistently observed. System acidification and sulfate accumulation were identified as inhibitors of required biological activity. Routine washing of the compost effectively mitigated these deficiencies. System upset was determined to be caused by compost dry-out or system overloading. Methods were developed to provide for recovery of contaminated filter material.

Effects of Residence Time Distribution and Packing on Methanol Oxidation in Biotrickling Filter

“…(2) Both Hat Creek coal and Celite Biocatalyst Carrier R-635 proved to be good packing materials. However, Celite required the use of nutrient in the circulating water, whereas the coal gave good conversions without additional nutrients.…”

“…Plug flow conditions in the reactors are usually assumed without further justification. [2][3][4] Lee 5 showed that the RTD of his reactor was a long way from a plug flow condition. RTD analysis of biofilter operation is a direct approach to the determination of the kinetic equations.…”

Biogas Production and Cleanup by Biofiltration for a Potential Use as an Alternative Energy Source

“…Biofiltration is one of the most promising clean technologies for reducing emissions of malodorous gases and other pollutants into the atmosphere (van Groenestijn andHesselink, 1993, van Groenestijn andKraakman, 2005). This technology has been proven to effectively control reduced sulfur compounds in diluted gas streams (Yang et al, 1994, Smet et al, 1998, Ergas et al, 1995, Chung et al, 1996, Devinny et al, 1999Deshusses, 2003, Kim andDeshusses, 2005). However, the elimination of H 2 S from fuel gases requires systems that can handle high loads of pollutants for extended periods of time (Maestre et al, 2010).…”

Simulation of biofilter used for removal of air contaminants (ethanol)

“…In this model, the ability of biofilters for removal of VOCs from air was described for the first time. The recent research include: Ottengraf (1986), Tiwaree, et al (1992), Shareefdeen, et al (1993), Shareefdeen and Baltiz (1994), Ergas, et al (1994), Yang and Allen (1994), Devinny (1994, 1995), Morgenroth, et al (1995), Deshusses, et al (1995a, 1995b), Tang, et al (1996), Abumaizar, et al (1997, Baltzis, et al (1997), Hwang, et al (1997), Zarook, et al (1993, 1997, Alonso, et al (1997Alonso, et al ( , 1998, Okkerse, et al (1999), and Amanullah, et al (1999) models. These models differ mainly in the following aspects: (1) model for fluid flow, (2) model for biodegradation reaction in the biofilm, (3) details of interphase transport, and (4) role of the support media (Amanullah, et al, 1999).…”

“…Beside organic compounds, inorganic compounds such as hydrogen sulfide and ammonia are also biodegraded well (Miller and Allen, 2004;Devinny, et al, 1999;and Swanson and Loehr, 1997). Several experimental studies were carried out to show that the removal of VOCs (Kennes and Veiga, 2004;Deshusses and Johnson, 2000;Neal and Loehr, 2000;and Mohseni and Allen, 2000), hydrogen sulfide (Busca and Pistarino, 2003;Cook, et al, 1999;Chitwood and Devinny, 1999;Shojaosadati and Elyasi, 1999;Yang and Allen, 1994;, and ammonia (Hong and Park, 2005;Martin, et al, 1996;Heslinga and Van Groenestijn, 1997; in biofilter is feasible. However, to analyze physical, chemical and biochemical phenomena occurring on biofiltration process and subsequently developing it into an optimized technology in waste treatment engineering, precise modeling of the process is required.…”