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This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of Phoenix dactylifera tree barks as the novel filter medium in an up flow biofilter employing mixed culture to degrade benzene. The experiments were conducted at different benzene concentrations (1.5 - 6.0 g.m-3) and EBRT (1.2- 4.7 min).The elimination capacity was found to vary linearly with inlet loading rate in the range of 0-306 g.m-3h-1. Removal efficiency of 99% was achieved when the benzene concentration was 1.5 g.m-3and decreased with increase in benzene concentration. Lower flow rates resulted in higher benzene removal efficiency. The concentration profile was observed at different heights of filter media. Temperature increase during biofiltration experiments confirmed the exothermic nature of biofiltration. The carbon dioxide production rate was related to elimination capacity by the equation CPR= 1.76EC+18. A Michaelis-Menten type model was applied and the kinetic constants, maximum elimination capacity ECmax, and saturation constant Ks, were found to be 217.4 g.m-3h-1 and 3.54 g.m-3 respectively.

The performance of a date palm tree bark-based biofilter inoculated with mixed microbial consortia was investigated for the removal of a benzeneethylbenzene-xylene mixture at a total inlet loading rate range of 38.0 to 612.0 g/m 3 ·h. The influences of the inlet pollutant concentration and air flow rate were studied. The maximum elimination capacities attained for benzene, ethylbenzene, and toluene were 79.51, 77.47, and 57.08 g/m 3 ·h, respectively. The removal efficiencies were evaluated and found to vary inversely with the inlet pollutant concentration. The VOC conversions were demonstrated by the difference in inlet and exit concentrations. The axial removal performance of the biofilter was studied, and the contribution of the lowest part was comparatively more than those of the upper sections because of the different biomass growth patterns. Temperature monitoring in the biofilter confirmed the exothermic nature of the biodegradation.