A Long-term Study of a Lava Rock-based Biofilter for Hydrogen Sulfide, Ammonia and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Treatment at a Wastewater Treatment Facility

摘要

Biofiltration is a sustainable technology in the US that utilizes microorganisms to biodegrade harmfulairborne contaminants. Biofiltration can not only be more cost effective, but also more environmentallyfriendly than traditional technologies such as thermal oxidation and chemical scrubbing. The objectiveof this study was to follow the long-term operation of a lava rock-based biofilter for odour control ata wastewater treatment plant. The biofilter has operated well for over 14 years that we have followedthe system. After 14 years of operation there are no visible signs of fungal growth or solid supportbreakdown. VOCs were removed at a rate of nearly 81% while ammonia and hydrogen sulfideremoval was found to be almost 90% and 98%, respectively. This study demonstrates that lava rockcan be used for a solid support media in wastewater treatment applications with excellent removalefficiencies, while maintaining its structural integrity over a decade or more of continuous use. This isthe first study that has followed a biofilter operation for 14 years. When considering biofiltration as anodour treatment option, one should consider lava rock as a solid support option. The initial capitalinvestment can be saved several times over by using a solid support that is able to hold-up over theyears without replacement. Thus, it is practical to consider solid support materials that appear to havea larger capital cost when one considers a long media life expectancy and payback over decades.