Relationships between biomass, pressure drop, and performance in a polyurethane biofilter

Abstract

In biofilters for controlling volatile organic compounds (VOCs), clogging in the filter bed due to over-growth of biomass Causes the deterioration of biofilter performance. In this study, the relationships between biofilter performance, biomass concentration (X), and pressure drop (Delta P) was qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated in a polyurethane (PU) biofilter. Benzene was used as a model VOC. The relationship between Delta P and X at a moisture content of 80-90% was expressed as log Delta P (mm H(2)O m(-1)) = 0.315 + 3.87 log X (g-dry cell weight (DCW) g-PU(-1)), 0.8 < X < 2.5. Maximum removal rate (V(m)) for benzene declined with increasing biomass concentration at more than 0.8 g-DCW g-PU(-1), and the following equation was obtained: V(m) (g m(-3) h(-1)) = 811 - 261 X (g-DCW g-PU(-1)), 0.8 < X < 2.5. The quantitative relationships obtained in this study can be applied to assess and optimize PU biofilter performance for long-term operation. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.