title: Effect of operating temperature on styrene mass transfer characteristics in a biotrickling filter.
abstract: To study the effect of operating temperature on styrene mass transfer from gas to liquid phase in biotrickling filters (BTFs), overall mass transfer coefficient (KLa) was calculated through fitting test data to a general mass balance model under abiotic conditions. Styrene was used as the volatile organic compound and the BTF was packed with a mixture of pall rings and pumice. Operating temperature was set at 30°C and 50°C for mesophilic and thermophilic conditions, respectively. KLa values increased from 54 to 70 h-1at 30°C and from 60 to 90 h-1at 50°C, respectively, depending on the countercurrent gas to liquid flow ratio that varied in the range of 7.5-32. Evaluation of styrene mass transfer capacity (MTC) showed that liquid-phase mass transfer resistance decreased as the flow ratio increased at constant temperature. MTC also decreased with an increase in operating temperature. Both gas-liquid partition coefficient and KLa increased with increasing temperature; however the effect on gas-liquid partition coefficient was more significant and served to increase mass transfer limitations. Thermophilic biofiltration on the one hand increases mass transfer limitations, but on the other hand may enhance the biodegradation rate in favor of enhancing BTFs' performance.
authors: a Biotechnology Group, Faculty of Chemical Engineering , Tarbiat Modares University , Tehran , Iran.
authors: Parham
authors: P
authors: Parnian
authors: a Biotechnology Group, Faculty of Chemical Engineering , Tarbiat Modares University , Tehran , Iran.
authors: Seyed Morteza
authors: SM
authors: Zamir
authors: a Biotechnology Group, Faculty of Chemical Engineering , Tarbiat Modares University , Tehran , Iran.
authors: Seyed Abbas
authors: SA
authors: Shojaosadati
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D019149:Bioreactors; D020058:Styrene / Q000378:metabolism*; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D020058:Styrene
keywords: Biofiltration; flow ratio; mass balance model; mass transfer coefficient; styrene