Kinetic evaluation of two biofilter media for hydrogen sulfide removal in the presence of ammonia

Economic advantages coupled with environmental benefits makes the process of biofiltration an attractive air pollution control technique. This process involves treating a contaminated air stream in a biologically active packed bed. In this study, low cost biofiltration using natural media of waste wood chips and compost and commercial media were evaluated for the removal of moderate concentrations of H2S (20, 50 and 100 ppmv) at different Empty Bed Contact Times (EBCT) in the range of 10–80 seconds. A natural media blend of 50/50 compost/wood chips was selected based on the results that compared different proportions of compost and wood chips for H₂S removal.; A synthesized contaminated gas stream of hydrogen sulfide mixed with humidified air was passed through the two media columns and effluent readings for H₂S and CO₂ at different bed heights were measured. Variations in removal efficiencies throughout the columns were calculated for the two media during bed acclimation and steady state operation at different inlet H₂S concentrations. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...