Biofiltration of n-butanol vapor at different operating temperatures: Experimental study and mathematical modeling

In this research, the effect of operating temperature on the removal of n-butanol vapor in a biofilter (BF) was studied at 35, 40, and 45 °C. The BF was packed with compost and lava rock. Empty bed residence time (EBRT) was 1 min and the inlet concentration was varied in the range of 0.9-2.6 gm−3. After acclimation period, elimination capacities (ECs) of 103, 162, and 62 gm−3 h−1 were obtained at 35, 40, and 45 °C, respectively, corresponded to the inlet loading rates (ILRs) of 140, 213, and 121 gm−3 h−1. The overall rate of biological reactions was more sensitive to the logarithmic mean concentration when temperature increased. According to the stoichiometric analysis, biomass and oxygen consumption yields (Yx/s and YO2/s) were obtained as 0.73 and 0.46, respectively. Regarding the mathematical model results, specific surface area for biomass (As), activation energy (E), and saturation constant for Michaelis-Menten kinetic model (km) values at 40 °C were determined as 2.01 × 102 m−1, 1.26 × 105 J mol−1 and 2 gm−3, respectively.