Mathematical Modeling of H2S Removal in a Bio-Filter

Subject Areas : environmental management

Amir Rahimi ¹ , Samaneh Sami ²

1 - Assistance professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Isfahan.
2 - M.Sc. Student, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology

Received: 2008-10-06 Accepted : 2009-05-18 Published : 2013-09-23

Keywords: Bio-filter, Mathematical Modeling, Hydrogen sulfide,

Abstract :

In this study, A mathematical model has been developed for H2S removal in a bio-filter. The modelis used for analyzing the bio-filter performance in steady and unsteady state operation conditions. Thegoverning equations including the concentration distribution equations for pollutant component andoxygen in the gas and biofilm phases were derived based on the conservation laws and solvednumerically. The change of pollutant concentration through the bio-filter length and bio-film thicknesswas obtained. The model predictions for removal efficiency and elimination capacity in three differentgas flow rates (0.03, 0.07 and 0.14 m3/hr) and different inlet concentrations, compared with theexperimental data reported by Oyarzun et al., and the accuracy of the model results was obtained. Alsothe results of the model for unsteady state operation condition were obtained for 1100 ppm of inletconcentration of H2S. These values compared with the existing experimental data too. Finally theeffect of some operation parameters such as: specific surface area of the bed, height of the bed,porosity of the bed and gas flow rate, on the removal efficiency of bio-filter was investigated.

References:

1. Devinny, J. S., Ramesh, J.,2007.A phenomenological review of biofilter models. Chemical Engineering Journal, Vol. 113, pp. 187-196.


2. Arjmand, M., Safekordi, A., Farjadfard, S.,2007.Simulation of biofilter used for removal of air contaminants (ethanol). International Journal of Environmental Science.  Techechnology, Vol. 2 (1), pp. 69-82.


3. Ottengraf, S. P. P., Van Den Oever, A. H. C.,1983.Kinetics of organic compound removal from waste gases with a biological filter. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Vol. 25(12), pp. 3089-102.


4. Hodge, D. S.; Devinny, J. S.,1995. Modeling removal of air contaminants by biofiltration. Journal of Environmental Engineering Div, Vol. 121 (1), pp. 21-32.


5. Shareefdeen, Z., Baltzis, B. C., Oh, Y.-S., Bartha, R., 1993.Biofiltration of Methanol Vapour. Biotechnolology Bioengineering, Vol. 41, pp. 512.


6. Amannullah, Md., Farooq, S., Viswanathan, Sh., 1999.Modeling and Simulation of a Biofilter. Industrial Engineering Chemchemical Res, Vol. 38 (7), pp. 2765–2774.

1. Deshusses, M. A., Harmer, G., Dunn, I. J., 1995.Behavior of biofilters for wasted air biotreatment. 2. Experimental evaluation of a dynamic model. Environmental Science Technolology, Vol. 29(4), pp. 1059-1068.

8. Shareefdeen, Z., Baltzis, B. C.,1994. Biofiltration of toluene vapor under steady state and transient conditions: theory and experimental results. Chemical Engineering Science, Vol. 49, pp. 4347-4360.


9. Ottengraf, S. P. P.,1986. Exhaust gas purification. Rehm, Reed, editors. Biotechnology Verlag Chemistrary, Vol. 8.


10. Tang H. M., Hwang, S. J., Hwang, S. Z.,1996.Waste gas treatment in biofilters. Journal of Air Waste Management Associate, Vol. 46, pp. 349-354.


11. Alonso, C., Zhu, X., Suidan, M.T., Kim B.R., Kim, B.J.,2001. Mathematical model of biofiltration of VOCs: effect of nitrate concentration and backwashing. Journal ofEnvironmental Engineering, Vol. 127(7), pp. 655-664.


12. Agarwal, G. K., Ghoshal, A. S.,2008. Packed bed dynamics during microbial treatment of wastewater: Modelling and simulation, Vol. 99(9), pp. 3765-73.


13. Picioreanu, C., van Loosdrecht, M. C. M., Heijnen, J. J.,1998.Mathematical modeling of biofilm structure with a hybrid differential-discretecellular automaton approach. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, vol. 58, pp. 101-116.

 

1. Zarook, S. M., Shaikh, A. A.,1997. Analysis   and comparison of biofilter modes. Chemical Engineering Journal, Vol. 65, pp. 55–61.

15. Kyeoung-suk, C., Mitsuyo, H., Makoto, SH.,1991. Degradation Characteristics of Hydrogen Sulfide, Methanethiol, Dimethyl Sulfide and Dimethyl Disulfide by Thiobacillus thioparus DW44 Isolated from Peat Biofilter. Journal of Fermentation and Bioengineering, Vol. 71, pp. 6.


16. Oyarzun, P., Arancibia, F., Canales, Ch., Aroca, G., 2003.Biofiltration of high concentration of hydrogen sulfide using Thiobacillus thioparus, Vol. 39, pp. 165-170.