Pilot-scale compost media biofilter treatment of volatile organic compounds

The compost media biofilter is one of the most important biological processes applied to treat waste gases. Research on a pilot-scale compost media biofilter treatment of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was performed. The volume of biofilter media was 4.3 m(3) and the biofilter operated for 57 days. Fluctuation of water content in the biofilter media was investigated. With continuous switching of air flow direction, the water content of the biofilter media could be managed without any addition of exterior water. The range of average temperature of each stage measured between 18 degrees C to 73 degrees C. When the air flow direction switched from upward to downward, temperatures of lower stages increased and temperatures of upper stages decreased. Temperatures of one side of the media were usually higher than those of the opposite side at the same depth. Compost has the advantages of different types of nutrients present in the media. With the compost media, the removal efficiency of the biofilter could be maintained at more than 99% for the experimental period.