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EVALUATION OF TRICKLE-BED AIR BIOFILTER PERFORMANCE FOR STYRENE REMOVAL
Citation:
Sorial, G. A., F. L. Smith, M. T. Suidan, A. Pandit, P. Biswas, AND R C. Brenner*. EVALUATION OF TRICKLE-BED AIR BIOFILTER PERFORMANCE FOR STYRENE REMOVAL. M. Henze (ed.), WATER RESEARCH. IWA Publishing, London, Uk, 32(5):1593-1603, (1998).
Impact/Purpose:
To investigate the performance of a trickle-bed air biofilter (TBAB) for styrene removal under organic loading rates as high as 4.26 kg COD/m3·day and a empty-bed residence time (EBRT) as low as 0.67 min.
Description:
A pilot-scale trickle-bed air biofilter (TBAB) was evaluated for the removal of styrene from a waste gas stream. Six-millimeter (6 mm) Celite pellets (R-635) were used as the biological attachment medium. The operating parameters considered in the study included the styrene volumetric loading, the empty-bed residence time (EBRT), the frequency and duration of backwashing, and nutrient-phosphorous (nutrient-P) management as a biomass control strategy. The aim of the study was to demonstrate that high removal efficiencies could be sustained over a long period. Periodic backwashing of the biofilter with full-medium fluidization was necessary for removing excess biomass and attaining stable, long-term high removal efficiencies. Styrene removal efficiencies in the 99%+ level were achieved for volumetric loading rates up to 2.93 kg COD/m3·day and a 1-min EBRT. With a COD volumetric loading rate of 4.26 kg COD/m3·day and a 0.67-min EBRT, removal efficiencies in the 97-99% level were achieved. Evaluations of pseudo steady-state performance data, 1 day following backwashing, yielded first order removal rate constants that were dependent on EBRT. Nutrient-phosphorus (nutrient-P) limitations failed to provide a strategy for biomass control while at the same time maintaining acceptable performance.
