Removal of multicomponent VOCs in off-gases from an oil refining wastewater treatment plant by a compost-based biofilter system

Waste gases from oil refining wastewater treatment plants are often characterized by the presence of multicomponent and various concentrations of compounds. An evaluation of the performance and feasibility of removing multicomponent volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in off-gases from oil refining wastewater treatment plants was conducted in a pilot-scale compost-based biofilter system. This system consists of two identical biofilters packed with compost and polyethylene (PE). This paper investigates the effects of various concentrations of nonmethane hydrocarbon (NMHC) and empty bed residence time (EBRT) on the removal efficiency of NMHC. Based on the experimental results and practical applications, an EBRT of 66 s was applied to the biofilter system. The removal efficiencies of NMHC were within the range of 47%–100%. At an EBRT of 66 s, the average removal efficiency of benzene, toluene, and xylene were more than 99%, 99%, and 100%, respectively. The results demonstrated that multicomponent VOCs in off-gases from the oil refining wastewater treatment plant could be successfully removed in the biofilter system, which may provide useful information concerning the design criteria and operation of full-scale biofilters.