6533b836fe1ef96bd12a126b

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Ethylbenzene removal under mesophilic conditions in a biofilter withMacadamia ternifolianutshells as a carrier material

subject

description

BACKGROUND Biofilters are suitable to treat industrial emissions polluted with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), responsible for photochemical smog and depletion of the ozone layer. This study analyzes the performance of a biofilter with Macadamia ternifolia nutshells as a carrier material treating air streams contaminated with ethylbenzene under mesophilic conditions with continuous feeding. RESULTS The biofilter was operated continuously for 5 months applying several inlet loads (IL), empty bed residence times (EBRT) and temperatures. At a temperature of 303 ± 1 K removal efficiencies (RE) higher than 90% were obtained for ILs lower than 85.6 g m−3 h−1 and 70.6 g m−3 h−1 at an EBRT of 150 and 90 s. The yield coefficient resulted in 0.73 g of dry biomass formed per g of ethylbenzene degraded. Michaelis–Mentens half saturation parameter Km and maximum volumetric elimination rate rm were calculated for EBRT of 90 s, Km = 0.28 ± 0.09 g m−3 and rm = 89 ± 11 g m−3 h−1, and 150 s, Km = 0.72 ± 0.18 g m−3 and rm = 117 ± 15 g m−3 h−1. CONCLUSIONS The experimental data shows that a biofilter with Macadamia ternifolia nutshells (waste material in Thailand) as a carrier material is a good option for air treatment in tropical areas with typical temperatures varying from 292 to 313 K, using ethylbenzene as a test substrate. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry