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Optimization of Biofiltration for Odor Control: Model Calibration, Validation, and Applications
Author(s) -
Martin Ronald W.,
Li Hebi,
Mihelcic James R.,
Crittenden John C.,
Lueking Donald R.,
Hatch Christopher R.,
Ball Patrick
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
water environment research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.356
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1554-7531
pISSN - 1061-4303
DOI - 10.2175/106143002x139712
Subject(s) - biofilter , effluent , environmental science , environmental engineering , hydrogen sulfide , wastewater , residence time (fluid dynamics) , sewage treatment , waste management , chemistry , engineering , sulfur , organic chemistry , geotechnical engineering
A dynamic model that describes the biofiltration process for hydrogen sulfide removal from wastewater treatment plant air emissions was calibrated and validated using pilot‐ and full‐scale biofilter data obtained from the Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Water Pollution Control Facilities. After calibration, the model was found to predict the dynamic effluent concentrations of the pilot‐ and full‐scale biofilters well, with the measured data falling within 58 to 80% of the model output values. In addition, the model predicted the trend of the field data, even under field conditions of changing input concentration and at effluent concentrations below 1 ppm by volume. The model demonstrated that increasing gas residence time and temperature and decreasing influent concentration decreases effluent concentration. In addition, model simulations showed that a longer residence time is required to treat dynamic loading increases, indicating that biofilter design should account for the maximum influent concentration. These results can be used to help design and operate biofilters for controlling odorous and hazardous air emissions.