Advanced Biofiltration Process for Hydrogen Sulphide Control

Odor emission is a severe problem common to most
wastewater treatment operations. Economical
advantages coupled with environmental benefits
make the process of odor biofiltration an attractive
option. However, there still exist inefficiencies
pertaining to the media used in biofiltration
processes, which at present, render the technology
economically unattractive. This study aims to
develop a novel active medium, termed as biological
activated carbon, through bacteria immobilization on
activated carbon, a supporting medium with generally
high specific surface area. The findings of this
research demonstrated that the combination of
biodegradation and adsorption on Biological
Activated Carbon is capable of removing Hydrogen
Sulphide for a substantial period of time. A
biotrickling filter using this new Biological
Activated Carbon is a viable biotechnology for the
efficient removal of Hydrogen Sulphide, the
predominant odorous compound in sewage air. Studies
on the mechanisms and modeling enable a better
understanding to the biofiltration process
applied in Hydrogen Sulphide removal using
Biological Activated Carbon.

Autorentext

Huiqi Duan, PMP, obtained her PhD in Environmental Engineering at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore in 2007. She is currently working as Principal Engineer for EPC projects of offshore platforms, and before that, Project Manager for EPC projects of edible oil refinery plant.

Klappentext

Odor emission is a severe problem common to most wastewater treatment operations. Economical advantages coupled with environmental benefits make the process of odor biofiltration an attractive option. However, there still exist inefficiencies pertaining to the media used in biofiltration processes, which at present, render the technology economically unattractive. This study aims to develop a novel active medium, termed as biological activated carbon, through bacteria immobilization on activated carbon, a supporting medium with generally high specific surface area. The findings of this research demonstrated that the combination of biodegradation and adsorption on Biological Activated Carbon is capable of removing Hydrogen Sulphide for a substantial period of time. A biotrickling filter using this new Biological Activated Carbon is a viable biotechnology for the efficient removal of Hydrogen Sulphide, the predominant odorous compound in sewage air. Studies on the mechanisms and modeling enable a better understanding to the biofiltration process applied in Hydrogen Sulphide removal using Biological Activated Carbon.