Characterization of a filtering medium properties for the gas-phase treatment of dichlorobenzenes

摘要

Biofiltration was evaluated for the treatment of an effluent containing gaseous dichlorobenzenes (DCBs) and naphthalene that was collected from a stripping tower used to treat contaminated groundwater at a refinery site. The filtering media consisted mainly of peat moss and demonstrated favorable physical and chemical properties, as well as a high potential of microbial growth and activity. Mineralization tests demonstrated that pH, temperature, and the presence of naphthalene in the gas phase were the factors most influencing DCB biodegradation. The pilot scale biofilter studies demonstrated th excellent potential of this technology for the treatment of gas-phase DCB-contaminated effluents. The 0.4-m~3 pilot biofilter was able to treat up to 28 g DCB/m~3 media-h with a maximum efficiency of 89%. Two full-scale biofilters filled with 45 m~3 of filtering medium were also used to treat 57 m~3/h of DCB-contaminated air. Removal efficiencies obtained varied between 0 and 79%, mainly because of low DCB inlet concentrations.