Modeling of kinetics approach on the removal in methyl ethyl ketone using pressmud based biofilter systems

Abstract

The removal of toxic methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) is studied in a lab scale biofilter packed with pressmud as packing materials. The biofiltration operation is divided into 4 phases for a period of 200 days. The maximum removal efficiency of 98 % is achieved during phase I for an inlet concentration of 0.2 g m -3 at a gas flow rate of 0.03 m -3 of MEK. The model simulation results have been reproduced and compared with the above sets of experimental data. Three different model variations are considered: model with low inlet MEK concentration, with high inlet MEK concentration, and with air flow rate modification. A sensitivity analysis has been performed on model to study the effect of important parameters on the removal efficiency. Model limitations and improvements have been highlighted.