A percolation model was developed to describe changes in the pore size distribution in biofilter porous media as a function of biofilm thickness.It was combined with a model predicting biofilm thickness as a function of time.The combined model allows prediction of the treatment efficiency as a function of time and the time to clogging for biofilters with various pore sizes and treatment conditions.The model indicates that there is a short initial period during which treatment is limited by the amount of biomass present,followed by a long period during which treatment is limited by the amount of biofilm surface available in contact with the air.The model suggests that a biofilter that utilizes the active surface without accumulating inactive biomass beneath could be far more efficient than current designs.
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