Biodegradation of ethyl benzene and xylene contaminated air in an up flow mixed culture biofilter

Biofiltration of ethylbenzene - xylene mixture was performed in a continuous biofilter employing mixed microbial culture in the total inlet loading rate range of 25.0-408.0 g m−3 h−1. The maximum elimination capacities attained for ethylbenzene and toluene were 85.63 and 63.2 g m−3 h−1 respectively. The elimination capacities were evaluated at different loading rates and found to very in a linear pattern. The effect of biofilter bed height on the removal efficiency was studied and the contribution of the lowest part was more than the upper sections due to different biomass growth patterns. The actual yield coefficient with respect to carbon dioxide production was found to be 4.07 and the correlation was given by CPR = 4.076 EC + 9.027. Heat release was observed during the experimental studies confirming the exothermic nature of biodegradation. Biomass growth profile showed better biofilm formation in the lower and middle section of the column.