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Biofiltration of high loads of ethyl acetate in the presence of toluene.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Deshusses, M; Johnson, CT; Leson, G
Published in: Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995)
August 1999

To date, biofilters have been used primarily to control dilute, usually odorous, off-gases with relatively low volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations (< 1 g m-3) and VOC loads (< 50 g m-3 hr-1). Recently, however, U.S. industry has shown an interest in applying biofilters to higher concentrations of VOCs and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). In this study, the behavior of biofilters under high loads of binary VOC mixtures was studied. Two bench-scale biofilters were operated using a commercially available medium and a mixture of wood chips and compost. Both were exposed to varying mixtures of ethyl acetate and toluene. Concentration profiles and the corresponding removal efficiencies as a function of VOC loading were determined through frequent grab-sampling and GC analysis. Biofilter response to two frequently encountered operating problems--media dry-out and operating temperatures exceeding 40 degrees C--was also evaluated under controlled conditions. Microbial populations were also monitored to confirm the presence of organisms capable of degrading both major off-gas constituents. The results demonstrated several characteristics of biofilters operating under high VOC load conditions. Maximum elimination capacities for ethyl acetate were typically in the range of 200 g m-3 hr-1. Despite the presence of toluene degraders, the removal of toluene was inhibited by high loads of ethyl acetate. Several byproducts, particularly ethanol, were formed. Short-term dry-out and temperature excursions resulted in reduced performance.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995)

DOI

EISSN

2162-2906

ISSN

1096-2247

Publication Date

August 1999

Volume

49

Issue

8

Start / End Page

973 / 979

Related Subject Headings

  • Toluene
  • Temperature
  • Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
  • Filtration
  • Ethanol
  • Air Pollution
  • Acetates
  • 41 Environmental sciences
  • 40 Engineering
  • 09 Engineering
 

Citation

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Deshusses, M., Johnson, C. T., & Leson, G. (1999). Biofiltration of high loads of ethyl acetate in the presence of toluene. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995), 49(8), 973–979. https://doi.org/10.1080/10473289.1999.10463869
Deshusses, M., C. T. Johnson, and G. Leson. “Biofiltration of high loads of ethyl acetate in the presence of toluene.Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995) 49, no. 8 (August 1999): 973–79. https://doi.org/10.1080/10473289.1999.10463869.
Deshusses M, Johnson CT, Leson G. Biofiltration of high loads of ethyl acetate in the presence of toluene. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995). 1999 Aug;49(8):973–9.
Deshusses, M., et al. “Biofiltration of high loads of ethyl acetate in the presence of toluene.Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995), vol. 49, no. 8, Aug. 1999, pp. 973–79. Epmc, doi:10.1080/10473289.1999.10463869.
Deshusses M, Johnson CT, Leson G. Biofiltration of high loads of ethyl acetate in the presence of toluene. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995). 1999 Aug;49(8):973–979.

Published In

Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association (1995)

DOI

EISSN

2162-2906

ISSN

1096-2247

Publication Date

August 1999

Volume

49

Issue

8

Start / End Page

973 / 979

Related Subject Headings

  • Toluene
  • Temperature
  • Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
  • Filtration
  • Ethanol
  • Air Pollution
  • Acetates
  • 41 Environmental sciences
  • 40 Engineering
  • 09 Engineering