[Study on the start-up of an innovative polyethylene carrier biotrickling filter treating waste gas containing...

Start-up of an innovative biotrickling bed packed with high density polyethylene carrier was studied. Two biofilm formation methods, continuous liquid stream (CLS) and gas-liquid phase joint (GLJ) biofilm formation, were studied for a quick start-up of biotrickling bed reactor treating gaseous hydrogen sulfide. Results show that the start-up time of the former is shorter, i. e. about 7 d at temperature 20- 28 degrees C . More steady performance was found in the reactor with CLS biofilm formation when sudden changes of GRT and inlet sulfide concentration happened. The removal efficiency of the former kept above 95% when inlet hydrogen sulphide concentration below 343 mg/m(3). Furthermore, the removal efficiency of S2- from the liquid used as the monitoring parameter of biofilm formation is suggested. After start-up period accomplished, no notable influence observed on removal efficiency when reducing supply of carbon source in trickling liquid through two different methods. The results show that the elimination of hydrogen sulphide in waste gas mainly attributed to autotrophic bacteria.