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A Study of the Biofiltration of High‐Loads of Toluene in Air: Carbon and Water Balances, Temperature Changes and Nitrogen Effect
Author(s) -
Delhoménie MarieCaroline,
Bibeau Louise,
Heitz Michèle
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
the canadian journal of chemical engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.404
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1939-019X
pISSN - 0008-4034
DOI - 10.1002/cjce.5450830201
Subject(s) - biofilter , chemistry , nitrogen , compost , environmental chemistry , toluene , environmental engineering , environmental science , waste management , organic chemistry , engineering
Abstract Biodegradable atmospheric pollutants, released at low to moderate concentrations, can be removed by biofiltration. In this work, a laboratory‐scale compost‐based biofilter has been evaluated for the removal of high levels of toluene in air (∼ 4.0 g.m −3 ). By applying a variable nitrogen input in the irrigation solution, it was shown that the biodegradation extent can be controlled through the nutrient supply. The maximum elimination capacity achieved was 135 g.m −3 .h −1 , for a N‐concentration of 3.0 g of N.L −1 . A quantitative analysis of the bioreaction aspects (stoichiometry, temperature) led to the determination of the water flow rates associated with the toluene oxidation. Thus, it was estimated that some 530 to 800 g of water.day −1 were lost at the bioreactor outlet, but were balanced by the irrigation system.