Biofiltration of odorous fume emitted from recycled nylon melting operations

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a biofilter packed only with fern chips for the removal of odorous compounds from recycled nylon melting operations. The fern chip biofilters could avoid the shortcomings of traditional media, such as compaction, drying, and breakdown, which lead to the performance failure of the biofilters. A pilot-scale biofilter consisting of an acrylic column (14 cm 2 Â 120 cm height) packed with fern chips to a volume of around 19.6 L was used for the test. Experimental results indicate that oxygenand nitrogen-containing hydrocarbons as well as paraffins were major volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from thermal smelting of recycled nylon at 250 C. With operation conditions of medium pH of 5.5-7.0, empty bed retention time (EBRT) of 6-12 sec, influent total hydrocarbon (THC) concentrations of 0.65-2.61 mg m À3 , and volumetric organic loading of 0.05-0.85 g m À3 hr À1 , the fern-chip-packed biofilter with nutrients of milk, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and glucose could achieve an overall THC removal efficiency of around 80%. Burnt odor emitted from the smelting of the recycled nylon could be eliminated by the biofilter.Implications: Biotreatment of contaminants in air streams offers an inexpensive and efficient alternative to conventional technologies. Biofiltration have a great potential for the degradation of gas-borne odorous compounds. THC removal efficiency of around 80% can be achieved. Burnt odor emitted from the smelting of the recycled nylon could be eliminated by the biofilter. This study provides an experimentally verified model for the design and operation of such biotreatment systems.

A comparison of biofiltration performance based on bacteria and fungi for treating toluene vapors from airflow

“…Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a slight increase in the pressure drop curves during the two stages of the operation, which indicates the subsidence and compression of the bed especially in the first phase of the experiments (Chen et al 2013;Estrada et al 2013b;Klapková et al 2006). In addition, the formation and gradual growth of the biomass and mycelium cause partial obstruction of the pores of the media, and it is a factor in the more pressure drop during the second phases in two stages (Dorado et al 2012;Padhi and Gokhale 2014;Schiavon et al 2016).…”

Biotrickling filtration of airborne styrene: A comparison of filtration media

“…Before packing, both media were immersed for 2 days in the mixed liquor of an activated sludge pond used for the treatment of wastewater effluent from an ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) resin plant in the same industrial park as the FRP-door manufacturing plant. According to Bina et al (2004), Dion St-Pierre, Ramirez, and Heitz (2009), Novak et al (2008), Chou, Chang, and Perng (2008), Li (2009, 2010), Chen et al (2013), and Delmoménie et al (2001), the activated sludge is Figure 2. Experimental biotrickling filter (BF) and fern chips.…”

“…Milk contains nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and many other essential natural nutrients for microorganisms. The milk addition yields much higher VOC removal in the treatment by fern-chip biofilters, a mixture of gas-borne PGMEA (propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate), MEK (methyl ethyl ketone), and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that are emitted from recycled nylon-melting operations than does the addition of inorganic N and P (Chou, Chang, and Perng 2008;Li 2009, 2010;Chen, Chang, and Chou 2013). All inorganic nutrients are reagent grades.…”

“…Experiences show that these chips do not rot for 3-5 yr under either moist or dry conditions. Fern chips are used because of their simple composition containing only one material, lower pressure drop of gas that flows through them, minimal tendency to clog and become compact, and ease of use in controlling moisture, nutrient, pH, and metabolites (Chen, Chang, and Chou 2013;Chou, Chang, and Perng 2008;Li 2009, 2010;Chou and Wang 2007). However, this material has not yet been tested for use in the biofiltration of styrene-laden air.…”

Long-term biofiltration of gaseous N,N-dimethylformamide: Operational performance and microbial diversity analysis at different conditions

“…Biofiltration is an effective and sustainable technique for the treatment of waste gas streams loaded with Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) including nitrogen-containing compounds (Chen et al, 2013;Chung, 2007). This technology is characterized by low energy consumption and low operating costs compared to traditional physical and chemical treatment methods (Delhoménie and Heitz, 2005;Kumar et al, 2011).…”