Conversion of Full-Scale Wet Scrubbers to Biotrickling Filters for Control at Publicly Owned Treatment Works
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 130, Issue 10
Abstract
Until recently, biological treatment of odors in biofilters or biotrickling filters was thought to require a longer gas contact time than chemical scrubbing, hence bioreactors for air treatment required a larger footprint. This paper discusses the conversion of chemical scrubbers to biological trickling filters. Initially, research was conducted with a laboratory-scale biotrickling filter. An effective open-pore polyurethane packing material was identified and biotreatment performance was quantified. Key technical issues in determining the general suitability of converting wet scrubbers to biotrickling filters were identified, and a generic ten-step conversion procedure was developed. Following the laboratory research, five full-scale chemical scrubbers treating odorous air at the Sanitation District of Orange County, Calif., were converted to biotrickling filters. The original airflow rate was maintained, resulting in a gas contact time as low as . The converted biotrickling filters demonstrated an excellent capability for treating high concentrations to concentrations below regulatory limits. This study shows outstanding potential for converting chemical scrubbers to biotrickling filters at publicly owned treatment works.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 130 • Issue 10 • October 2004
Pages: 1110 - 1117
Copyright
Copyright © 2004 ASCE.
History
Published online: Oct 1, 2004
Published in print: Oct 2004
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