Effect of advanced oxidants generated via ultraviolet light on a sequentially loaded and regenerated granular activated carbon biofilter.
The objective of this research was to investigate a sequentially loaded and regenerated granular activated carbon (GAC) biofilter system and to determine whether regenerative ozonation/advanced oxidation could improve the removal and biodegradation of a volatile organic compound from a contaminated airstream. Bench-scale reactors were constructed to operate in a manner analogous to a commercially available system manufactured by Terr-Aqua Environmental Systems (only with longer contact time). The GAC system consisted of two GAC biofilter beds that operated in a cyclical manner. On a given day, the first GAC bed adsorbed methyl isobutyl ketone from a simulated waste airstream, while the second bed underwent regeneration; then on the next day, the second bed was in the adsorption mode while the first was regenerated. Three bench-scale systems were used to compare the performance under three operating conditions: (1) ozone/ associated oxidant regeneration of a GAC biofilter system that was seeded with microorganisms from a field site, (2) a humid air regeneration of a seeded GAC biofilter, and (3) a humid air regeneration of an unseeded GAC biofilter. For the advanced oxidant regenerated GAC biofilter, a maximum removal efficiency of >95% was achieved with an empty bed contact time of 148 sec and an influent concentration of 125 ppm methyl isobutyl ketone, and 90-95% was achieved at 148-sec empty bed contact time and a 1150-ppm influent.
U.S. Army TACOM-TARDEC, Warren, Michigan, USA.
James S
JS
Dusenbury
Fred S
FS
Cannon
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D019149:Bioreactors; D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D005374:Filtration; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014835:Volatilization
D000393:Air Pollutants; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D002244:Carbon