Effects of irrigation and water content of packing materials on a thermophilic biofilter for SO2 removal: Performance, oxygen distribution and microbial population

The water content (WCR) of packing materials is a key factor that determines the success of biofilters, particularly thermophilic bioreactors, for off-gas treatment. An optimum WCR can be accomplished by directly irrigating packing materials. In this study, the performance of a thermophilic biofilter for SO₂  removal was investigated by different irrigation times. The removal efficiency of SO₂  was largely influenced by the water content of packing materials, which varied with irrigation time. An average SO₂  removal efficiency of 98% could be achieved when WCR was >80%. The thermophilic biofilter required daily irrigation to maintain the optimum WCR. Oxygen distribution varied in polyurethane foam cubes (PUFCs) at different WCRs. PUFCs with a high WCR provided aerobic-low oxygen-aerobic areas. Microbial population also varied accordingly. For the thermophilic biofilter in treating SO₂, over 80% was the optimal WCR which could be achieved by continuous irrigation.

My main interests in this article is the topic which looks into reducing air contaminants using biofilters. This is not a new topic but this looks at the optimization these biofilters in their use for contaminants released due to industrial processes such power plants, refineries, coal burners, etc.