MODELING OF VOLATILE ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS IN TRICKLING FILTER SYSTEMS

Despite the widespread use of trickling filters, there has been minima l investigation of the fate of volatile organic contaminants (VOCs) in such systems. A model describing the fate of VOCs in trickling filter s is described. The removal of VOCs was investigated in a pilot-scale trickling filter receiving a feed of sewage dosed with a constant conc entration of selected VOCs. Increasing hydraulic loading tended to inc rease the proportion of influent VOCs found in the effluent. Imposing effluent recycle also increased the fraction of VOCs found in the effl uent but also decreased the fraction stripped and increased the fracti on that was biodegraded. The values of the biodegradation coefficient, K-b, were found to be reproducible and affected by a combination of h igh hydraulic loading rate and effluent recycle.