Model Development for Biotrickling Filter Treatment of Graywater Simulant and Waste Gas. I
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 134, Issue 10
Abstract
A mathematical model was developed to simulate a biotrickling filter capable of simultaneous treatment of graywater simulant and waste gas contaminated with ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. The model accounts for mass transfer of gas phase contaminants into the liquid phase and subsequent transfer into a biofilm where microbial conversions of contaminants are modeled by Monod kinetics. A set of laboratory experiments was conducted to estimate parameters for each of the two components of the model. Separation of parameter estimation both decreased the total number of parameters estimated simultaneously and ensured that each component of the system was adequately represented. Process performance, as predicted by the calibrated model, was compared to results from the operation of bench-scale reactors. The model was capable of accurately predicting contaminant removal and thus was used to make a preliminary assessment on the feasibility of a proposed dual treatment biotrickling filter system. This model is a valuable tool not only to describe and predict process performance, but also to identify relevant design parameters.
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Acknowledgments
This research was supported by a grant from NASA through the ALS NSCORT Center, headquartered at Purdue University. The first writer was funded by a fellowship from the American Association of University Women.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 134 • Issue 10 • October 2008
Pages: 813 - 825
Copyright
© 2008 ASCE.
History
Received: Nov 8, 2006
Accepted: Nov 1, 2007
Published online: Oct 1, 2008
Published in print: Oct 2008
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