| Several conventional processes, like catalytic and thermal methods, are used to treat air stream contaminated by volatile organic compounds. However, numerous disadvantages are associated to these processes and biological methods, such as biofiltration, are becoming an interesting alternative especially because of their low operation costs and absence of toxic by-products.; Over a decade, the air pollution problematic emerged and became one of the principal interests of governments, industries and scientists. This is particularly true for volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. The main objective of this project is to show that biofiltration process is applicable to treat an air stream contaminated by 1,2-dichlorobenzene (1,2-DCB). Three secondary objectives were elaborated for this study: (1) prove that biodegradation of 1,2-DCB in gaseous phase is possible; (2) characterize the mechanical, physical-chemical and microbiological properties of the organic media; and (3) analyze both the sorption/desorption and the biological phenomenons occurring during the start-up phase of the biofiltration. All the experiments were conducted on a biofilter (height of 2 m and diameter of 0.59 m) filled with 0.45 m3 of organic filter media. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
