Use of Polyurethane Foam/Activated Carbon Media Combined with Sequencing Batch Operation for Biofiltration of Methyl Ethyl Ketone Contaminated Air

摘要

In conventional biofilter operation, contaminated air is passed continuously through packed beds containing microbial consortia capable of contaminant biotransformation. This paper describes how sequencing batch operation can be applied to biofilters designed and operated as controlled, unsteady-state, periodic processes for the destruction of gas-phase contaminants. Such operation can increase an operator's ability to minimize uncertainties that often accompany design and operation of biological systems. In the studies described herein, the impact of sequencing batch operation was assessed in a methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) degrading biofilter. The biofilter packing medium consisted of polyurethane foam cylinders that contained activated carbon. MEK and CO2 concentrations were monitored to assess treatment performance. A model waste stream containing 106 ppm_v MEK was used for normal loading studies, and a model shock load consisting of 530 ppm_v MEK for a duration of one hour was used to assess system response to transient loads. Data are presented which clearly demonstrate that sequencing batch operation can be successfully applied to MEK contaminated air streams.