title: Biomass accumulation modelling in a highly loaded biotrickling filter for hydrogen sulphide removal.
abstract: A pilot scale test on a biotrickling filter packed with polyurethane foam cubes was carried out for 110 d at high volumetric mass load (up to 280 g m(bed)(-3) h(-1)) with the aim of studying the accumulation of solids in the treatment of H(2)S. Removal rate up to 245 g m(bed)(-3) h(-1) was obtained; however, an accumulation of gypsum, elemental sulphur and, above all, inert biomass was identified as the cause of an increased pressure drop over the long term. A mathematical model was applied and calibrated with the experimental results to describe the accumulation of biomass. The model was capable of describing the accumulation of solids and, corresponding to a solids retention time of 50 d, the observed yield resulted in 0.07 g of solids produced g(-1) H(2)S removed. Respirometric tests showed that heterotrophic activity is inhibited at low pH (pH < 2.3), and the contribution to biomass removal through decay was negligible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Florence, Via Santa Marta 3, 50139 Florence, Italy. alberto.mannucci@dicea.unifi.it
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mannucci
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Munz
authors.forename: Gualtiero
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lubello
mesh_terms: D018533:Biomass; D005374:Filtration / Q000379:methods*; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism*; D007220:Industrial Waste; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011312:Pressure
chemical_list: D007220:Industrial Waste; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide