Tubular biofilter for toluene removal under various organic loading rates and gas empty bed residence times

► A TBF was developed with tubular structure and tubular sponge media in 3 cm thick. ► An area of the outermost surface medium bed per specific medium volume is much larger than most existing biofilters. ► VOC could be effectively removed by the TBF even at short gas EBCTs. ► No apparent biomass accumulated in the TBF during 391 days' operation.