Peat-based toluene biofiltration: A new approach to the control, of nutrients and pH

This paper describes an eighty days toluene vapour removal from air by a pe at-based biofilter to study the effect;of different inocula and nutrient su pplies on the biofiltration efficiency. Four pure microbial strains were us ed for the inoculation of the biofilter matrix: i.e. Arthrobacter paraffine us, from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) and a further three ar omatic hydrocarbons degraders selected from among those in private collecti ons. The toluene inlet load was maintained at constant value throughout the trial . To improve toluene biofiltration, changes in the inoculation of th e filter bed have been diversified. We have also investigated supply of nut rients by various aqueous solutions to humidify the filter packing material . Nutrients introduced by these solutions contained inorganic and organic n itrogen forms. To evaluate the influence of nutrient supplies, the operatin g parameter measurements have been monitored on an 80 day cycle. Parameters observed included the filter bed temperature, pressure drop and the toluen e concentrations at both the entry and exit of the biofilter, the pH and ph ysiological activities resulting from the various operational conditions.