Reverse-flow strategy in biofilters treating CS₂ emissions.
The bacteriostatic properties of carbon disulphide (CS₂) hamper its biodegradation in conventional biofilters. The response of four biofilters operating in downflow mode and reverse-flow mode was compared in a laboratory-scale plant treating CS₂ under sudden short-term changes in operating conditions. A process shutdown for 24 h, an inlet concentration increase and an interruption of the inlet air humidification for 48 h at an empty bed residence time (EBRT) of 240 s did not impact significantly on biodegradation performance, regardless of flow mode. Nevertheless, a reduction in the EBRT to 60 s resulted in a significant decrease in removal efficiency in all the biofilters. The CS₂ degradation profile showed that the reverse-flow mode strategy rendered a more homogenous distribution of biomass along the bed height. The benefits of the reverse-flow mode were demonstrated even when the unidirectional flow mode was re-established.
Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Engineering Faculty, University of the Basque Country, Alda Urkijo s/n, 48013 Bilbao, Spain. naiara.rojo@ehu.es
Naiara
N
Rojo
Gorka
G
Gallastegui
Luis
L
Gurtubay
Astrid
A
Barona
Ana
A
Elías
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D057005:Bioengineering / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D019149:Bioreactors; D001709:Biotechnology; D002246:Carbon Disulfide / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000302:isolation & purification
D000393:Air Pollutants; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds; D002246:Carbon Disulfide