[Removal of Mixed Waste Gases by a Biotrickling Filter Packed with a Novel Combined Packing Material]

A pilot biotrickling filter (BTF) was set up for removal of a mixed waste gas containing toluene and ethanol. The packing material was composed of polyhedral sphere and polyhedral hollow column previously designed by our group. The results showed this BTF could successfully start up within only 8 d and the average eliminate capacities for toluene and ethanol were 97.14 and 113.10 g · (m³ · h)⁻¹, respectively. Empty bed residence time (EBRT) and the inlet concentration had effects on the removal of toluene. The maximum elimination capacity of toluene and ethanol was 123.34 and 206.36 g (m³ · h)⁻¹ under EBRT of 21.11 s, respectively. However, the effect of spray liquid density was not obvious, and the optimal value of solution and gas ratio was 6.82 L · m⁻³. The influence of unstable processing condition on its performance was also investigated. NaOH solution could effectively reduce the plugging of the filler layer, and the removal capability of pollutant could be recovered within 3 days. After the running was stopped for 10 d, the removal performance of this BTF could be quickly recovered.