Mathematical modeling of biofiltration in activated pine-bark charge of a biofilter

Abstract

Aim, Scope and Background. Human economic activities cause emissions of various pollutants of an organic nature: butanol, butyl acetate, methanol, formaldehyde, phenol, benzene, toluene, xylene, etc. These compounds are emitted to atmosphere by various enterprises of food, chemistry, wood processing industries, from transportation means, agricultural enterprises, etc. Therefore, when purifying air from these pollutants, it is necessary to apply efficient and inexpensive air purification methods. In this dimension, the biological air purification is chosen from all possible air cleaning methods. An experimental biofilter with the activated charge of pine bark was developed at the Department of Environment Protection of the Vilnius Gediminas Technical University. In the course of the experimental investigation, it was determined that this air purification method is efficient. Filter efficiency, when purifying air of volatile organic compounds (butanol, butyl acetate and xylene), to a great extent, depending on the nature and concentrations (up to 100 mg/m3) of pollutants injected, might go up to 70-98%. The mathematical model of the biofilter was developed based on the research results and fully taking into consideration physical, chemical, and biological processes going on during its operations. Main Features. The aim of this article is to determine biodegradation constant , absorption capacity , and half empiric expressions of filter efficiency. Knowing this, it is possible to find out the dependence of the filter efficiency on the operational parameters of the filter (i.e. on the concentrations and the height of biocharge of the initial pollutants (butanol, butyl acetate, xylene) fed through it) [...].