Bed mixing and leachate recycling strategies to overcome pressure drop buildup in the biofiltration of hydrogen sulfide

The effects of leachate recycling and bed mixing on the removal rate of H2S from waste gas stream were investigated. The experimental setup consisted of an epoxy-coated three-section biofilter with an ID of 8 cm and effective bed height of 120 cm. Bed material consisted of municipal solid waste compost and PVC bits with an overall porosity of 54% and dry bulk density of 0.456 g cm−3. Leachate recycling had a positive effect of increasing elimination capacity (EC) up to 21 g S m−3 bed h−1 at recycling rates of 75 ml d−1 , but in the bed mixing period EC declined to 8 g S m−3 bed h−1. Pressure drop had a range of zero to 18 mm H2O m−1 in the course of leachate recycling. Accumulation of sulfur reduced removal efficiency and increased pressure drop up to 110 mm H2O m−1 filter during the bed mixing stage.

► Leachate recycling had positive effect on increasing elimination capacity up to 21 g s m−3 bed h−1.
► Maximum pressure drop obtained up to 18 mm H2O m−1 filter at leachate recycling rates of 75 ml d−1.
► In the bed mixing period elimination capacity declined to 8 g S m−3 bed h−1.
► Pressure drop increased up to 110 mm H2O m−1 filter during the bed mixing stage.
► Accumulation of sulfate up to 100 mg S g−1 bed reduced removal efficiency.