Evaluation of composts as biofilter packing material for treatment of gaseous p-xylene

• Published in: Biochemical engineering journal 2007-07, Vol.35 (2), p.142-149
• Main Authors: Hwang, Jae Woong, Jang, Seok Jin, Lee, Eun Yeol, Choi, Cha Yong, Park, Sunghoon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biofiltration; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Compost; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Nitrification activity; Nitrogen limitation; p-Xylene
• ISSN: 1369-703X; 1873-295X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2007.01.008

Composts are often employed as a packing material of a biofilter for treating gaseous streams contaminated with volatile organic compounds or malodorous chemicals. In order to select a good packing material for a biofilter, two commercially available composts in Korea, pig manure compost (PMC) and food waste compost (FWC), were studied during the treatment of gaseous p-xylene. The composts were used as purchased or after washed with water to remove water-soluble nutrients and microorganisms on the compost surface. Washed composts exhibited a shorter start-up period for a biofilter to reach a high and steady degradation level of p-xylene. Nitrogen limitation was experienced when a biofilter was operated without adding a supplemental nitrogen source. The soluble nitrogen content was initially higher in PMC than in FWC, but the latter had a higher content of insoluble nitrogen and a lower activity of the nitrification which converts NH 3-N to NO 3-N. The biofilter packed with FWC yielded a lower loss of nitrogen as leachate and exhibited a more stable performance for a longer period of 150 days with the maximal elimination capacity of 21 g p-xylene m −3 h −1.