Title: Simulating accumulation of biofilms in biotrickling filter

Authors: Chunping Yang, Wei Qu, Guangming Zeng, Hong Chen, Jianlong Wang

Addresses: College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, PR China. ' College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, PR China. ' College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, PR China. ' College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, PR China. ' Laboratory of Environmental Technology, INET, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China

Abstract: Accumulations and spatial and dynamic variations of biofilms in the media of a biotrickling filter were simulated using mathematical models for Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) removal. Toluene was selected as the model VOC. Effects of toluene concentration and gas Empty Bed Contact Time (EBCT) on VOC removal were also investigated. Results showed that biofilm thickness increased with increased operation duration and the growth rate of biofilms increased with increased inlet toluene concentration and EBCT at a constant toluene loading. The profiles of the thickness and growth rate of biofilms along the medium depth dropped gradually at a certain time.

Keywords: biofilms; biotrickling filters; mathematical modelling; VOCs; volatile organic compounds; simulation; VOC removal; toluene concentration; empty bed contact time; gas EBCT; biofilm thickness.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2009.027225

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2009 Vol.38 No.3, pp.245 - 255

Published online: 18 Jul 2009 *

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