title: Biofilters--the influence of different filter materials and different operating conditions on the reduction efficiency.
abstract: A series of biofilter materials were tested for performance efficiency in treating ventilation air from pig sheds. Two different phases were conducted. In phase A five different biofilter materials were tested with the aim of selecting the best material regarding the odor reduction and over all efficiency. In conclusion of phase A, biochips, a new filter material, was selected due to its high average odor reduction (81%) in combination with a very low flow resistance (less than 30 Pa for filter volume loads of 600 m3 h(-1) m(-3)). In phase B, biochips and coconut fiber peat were tested under different operating conditions. Biofilters number 3 and 4 each with down-flow air supply could realize a higher average odor reduction than biofilter 5 with up-flow air supply. All three filter materials had the same moisture, however the two biofilters with down-flow air supply showed a more homogenous moisture distribution but they also used approximately three times more water than biofilter 5. Like in phase A the specific odor cleaning efficiency was mainly influenced by the specific odor loading rate and showed only slight differences between the five biofilters differing in bulk layer height (0.5 m and 1.0 m) and air supply mode. All in all the investigation showed that the efficiency of biofilters can be optimized by using an new filter material and a appropiate operating mode.
authors.affiliation: Universität Hohenheim, Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Garbenstrafle 9, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hartung
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martinec
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jungbluth
mesh_terms: D000392:Air Movements; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000818:Animals; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D005160:Facility Design and Construction; D005374:Filtration; D006799:Housing, Animal; D008422:Materials Testing; D009812:Odorants; D013552:Swine; D014691:Ventilation; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D014867:Water