Biofiltration of volatile organic compounds - application to air treatment

A hydrodynamic study and an ethanol biodegradation were carried out in an e xperimental biofilter using wood bark as packing material. The Comiti and R enaud model was used in order to determine, from pressure drop measurements , the tortuosity and the dynamic specific surface area of the packing mater ial, and ifs structural parameters, considering the wall effect corrections . The pressure drop was used as a qualitative measure of the growth of nati ve wood bark microorganisms. The aerobic biodegradation with a concentratio n of 1 g of ethanol m(-3) was studied. An air superficial velocity of 100 m h(-1), an air flow rate of 20 m(3) h(-1) and an empty bed residence time o f 37 seconds with a true residence time of 19.5 s were the operational cond itions in the biofilter. The ethanol concentration, pH, temperature and the pressure drop at different heights of the biofilter were measured. Perform ances of this process were presented.