Performance of composite-ceramic and organic-clay carriers in biofilters treating hydrogen sulfide gas and toluene vapor

摘要

In order to find promising materials for bio-carriers, five kinds of spherical beads of 1 cm diameter were manufactured using natural soil including organic clay and inorganic clay such as diatomite, zeolite, bentonite, and germanium, which are cheap and favorable for pot-planting. Their performance was comparatively investigated according to material properties, microbial attachment and growth, and the biofiltration effect of H_2S and VOC vapor when applied to biofilters. A composite-ceramic carrier made of 1 : 1 mixture of diatomite and bentonite clay showed the best performance among these carriers, according to the maximum removal capacity of these gases. Particularly, bentonite clay appears to be a good material for bio-carriers. The organic-clay carrier can be used as an alternative to peat and compost, being readily dried with a high flow rate particularly in the absence of a water supply.