Operational Characteristics of Effective Removal of H2S and NH3 Waste Gases by Activated Carbon Biofilter

Abstract

Simultaneous removal of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and am- gases. monia (NH₃) gases from gaseous streams was studied in a biofilter packed with granule activated carbon. Extensive studies, including the effects of carbon (C) source on the growth of inoculated microorganisms and gas removal efficiency, product analysis, bioaerosol emission, pressure drop, and cost evaluation, were conducted. The results indicated that molasses was a potential C source for inoculated cell growth that resulted in removal efficiencies of 99.5% for H₂S and 99.2% for NH₃. Microbial community observation by scanning electron microscopy indicated that granule activated carbon was an excellent support for microorganism attachment for long-term waste gas treatment. No disintegration or breakdown of biofilm was found when the system was operated for 140 days. The low bioaerosol concentration emitted from the biofilter showed that the system effectively avoided the environmental risk of bioaerosol emission. Also, the system is suitable to apply in the field because of its low pressure drop and treatment cost. Because NH₃ gas was mainly converted to organic nitrogen, and H₂S gas was converted to elemental sulfur, no acidification or alkalinity phenomena were found because of the metabolite products. Thus, the results of this study demonstrate that the biofilter is a feasible bioreactor in the removal of waste gases.     

Long-term operation of a biofilter for simultaneous removal of H2S and NH3

Simultaneous removal of NH3 and H2S was investigated using two types of biofilters--one packed with wood chips and the other with granular activated carbon (GAC). Experimental tests and measurements included analyses of removal efficiency (RE), metabolic products, and results of long-term operation (around 240 days). The REs for NH3 and H2S were 92 and 99.9%, respectively, before deactivation. After deactivation, the RE for NH3 and H2S were decreased to 30-50% and 75%, respectively. The activity of nitrifying bacteria was inhibited by high concentrations of H2S (over 200 ppm) but recovered gradually after H2S addition was ceased. However, the Thiobacillus thioparus as sulfur oxidizing bacteria did not show inhibition at the NH3 concentration under 150-ppm conditions. The deactivation of the biofilter was caused by metabolic products [elemental sulfur and (NH4)2SO4] accumulating on the packing materials during the extended operation. The removal capacities for NH3 and H2S were 6.0-8.0 and 45-75 mg N, S/L/hr, respectively.     

Kinetic evaluation of H2S and NH3 biofiltration for two media used for wastewater lift station emissions

In this study, biofiltration using a natural wood chip medium and a commercial biofiltration medium was evaluated for the removal of moderate concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) (up to 100 parts per million by volume [ppmv]) in the presence of significant concentrations of ammonia (NH3). These levels were chosen as representative of wastewater lift station emissions in the Brownsville, TX, area. NH3-removing portions of the biofilms may compete with H2S-removing portions and inhibit H2S removal. H2S process removal efficiencies for the commercial and natural media ranged from 90 to 96% depending on inlet loading and media type and bed height. Kinetic analysis of the H2S removal process followed apparent first-order reaction behavior. The average first-order reaction rates were 0.03 sec(-1) for the commercial medium and 0.09 sec(-1) for the natural medium. Pressure drops across the columns ranged from 0.41 in. H2O/ft for the commercial medium to 1.41 in. H2O/ft for the natural medium. NH3 gas levels of up to 80 ppmv did not affect the H2S removal process efficiency, and calculated kinetic rate constants for H2S removal remained almost the same. The NH3 gas also was removed simultaneously with the H2S up to 98% removal efficiency by the commercial medium.     

Two-stage biofilter for effective NH3 removal from waste gases containing high concentrations of H2S

A high H2S concentration inhibits nitrification when H2S and NH3 are simultaneously treated in a single biofilter. To improve NH3 removal from waste gases containing concentrated H2S, a two-stage biofilter was designed to solve the problem. In this study, the first biofilter, inoculated with Thiobacillus thioparus, was intended mainly to remove H2S and to reduce the effect of H2S concentration on nitrification in the second biofilter, and the second biofilter, inoculated with Nitrosomonas europaea, was to remove NH3. Extensive studies, which took into account the characteristics of gas removal, the engineering properties of the two biofilters, and biological parameters, were conducted in a 210-day operation. The results showed that an average 98% removal efficiency for H2S and a 100% removal efficiency for NH3 (empty bed retention time = 23-180 sec) were achieved after 70 days. The maximum degradation rate for NH3 was measured as 2.35 g N day(-1) kg of dry granular activated carbon(-1). Inhibition of nitrification was not found in the biofilter. This two-stage biofilter also exhibited good adaptability to shock loading and shutdown periods. Analysis of metabolic product and observation of the bacterial community revealed no obvious acidification or alkalinity phenomena. In addition, a lower moisture content (approximately 40%) for microbial survival and low pressure drop (average 24.39 mm H2O m(-1)) for system operation demonstrated that the two-stage biofilter was energy saving and economic. Thus, the two-stage biofilter is a feasible system to enhance NH3 removal in the concentrated coexistence of H2S.     

Carbon Disulfide and Hydrogen Sulfide Removal with a Peat Biofilter

ABSTRACT

Simultaneous removal of H₂S and CS₂ was studied with a peat biofilter inoculated with a Thiobacillus strain that oxidizes both compounds in an acidic environment. Both sulfurous gases at concentrations below 600 mg S/m³ were efficiently removed, and the removal efficiencies were similar, 99%, with an empty bed retention time (EBRT) of more than 60 sec. Concentrations greater than 1300-5000 mg S/m³ caused overloading of the filter material, resulting in high H₂SO₄ production, accumulation of elemental sulfur, and reduced removal efficiency. The highest sulfur removal rate achieved was 4500 g-S/day/m³ filter material. These results indicate that peat is suitable as a biofilter material for the removal of a mixture of H₂S and CS₂ when concentrations of gases to be purified are low (less than 600 mg/m³), but it is still odorous and toxic to the environment and humans.     

Operational characteristics of effective removal of H2S and NH3 waste gases by activated carbon biofilter

Simultaneous removal of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and ammonia (NH3) gases from gaseous streams was studied in a biofilter packed with granule activated carbon. Extensive studies, including the effects of carbon (C) source on the growth of inoculated microorganisms and gas removal efficiency, product analysis, bioaerosol emission, pressure drop, and cost evaluation, were conducted. The results indicated that molasses was a potential C source for inoculated cell growth that resulted in removal efficiencies of 99.5% for H2S and 99.2% for NH3. Microbial community observation by scanning electron microscopy indicated that granule activated carbon was an excellent support for microorganism attachment for long-term waste gas treatment. No disintegration or breakdown of biofilm was found when the system was operated for 140 days. The low bioaerosol concentration emitted from the biofilter showed that the system effectively avoided the environmental risk of bioaerosol emission. Also, the system is suitable to apply in the field because of its low pressure drop and treatment cost. Because NH3 gas was mainly converted to organic nitrogen, and H2S gas was converted to elemental sulfur, no acidification or alkalinity phenomena were found because of the metabolite products. Thus, the results of this study demonstrate that the biofilter is a feasible bioreactor in the removal of waste gases.     

络合铁法脱除垃圾填埋气中的H2S

建立了以EDTA和柠檬酸为铁盐络合剂的循环脱硫体系,采用络合铁法对垃圾填埋气中的H2S进行脱硫中试实验,结果表明实验所建立的络合铁脱硫体系运行稳定,脱硫效率高,适合应用于垃圾填埋气中硫化氢脱除。     

Biotreatment of H2S- and NH3-containing waste gases by co-immobilized cells biofilter

Gas mixture of H2S and NH3 in this study has been the focus in the research area concerning gases generated from the animal husbandry and the anaerobic wastewater lagoons used for their treatment. A specific microflora (mixture of Thiobacillus thioparus CH11 for H2S and Nitrosomonas europaea for NH3) was immobilized with Ca-alginate and packed inside a glass column to decompose H2S and NH3. The biofilter packed with co-immobilized cells was continuously supplied with H2S and NH3 gas mixtures of various ratios, and the removal efficiency, removal kinetics, and pressure drop in the biofilter was monitored. The results showed that the efficiency remained above 95% regardless of the ratios of H2S and NH3 used. The NH3 concentration has little effect on H2S removal efficiency, however, both high NH3 and H2S concentrations significantly suppress the NH3 removal. Through product analysis, we found that controlling the inlet ratio of the H2S/NH3 could prevent the biofilter from acidification, and, therefore, enhance the operational stability. Conclusions from bioaerosol analysis and pressure drop in the biofilter suggest that the immobilized cell technique creates less environmental impact and improves pure culture operational stability. The criteria for the biofilter operation to meet the current H2S and NH3 emission standards were also established. To reach Taiwan's current ambient air standards of H2S and NH3 (0.1 and 1 ppm, respectively), the maximum inlet concentrations should not exceed 58 ppm for H2S and 164 ppm for NH3, and the residence time be kept at 72 s.     

Modifications to an H2S Tape Sampler for Increasing Sensitivity and Accuracy in H2S Sampling

The tape samplers using lead acetate impregnated paper tapes for continuous hydrogen sulfide sampling are subject to a number of errors which can throw considerable doubt on the accuracy of H₂S concentrations being measured. Some of the errors have been minimized with a change in the humidification system and a reduction of the lamp intensity in the optical system.     

Removal of Volatile Organic Compounds at Extreme Shock-Loading Using a Scaled-Up Pilot Rotating Drum Biofilter

Abstract

A pilot-scale rotating drum biofilter (RDB), which is a novel biofilter design that offers flexible flow-through configurations, was used to treat complex and variable volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, including shock loadings, emanating from paint drying operations at an Army ammunition plant. The RDB was seeded with municipal wastewater activated sludge. Removal efficiencies up to 86% and an elimination capacity of 5.3 g chemical oxygen demand (COD) m^?3 · hr^?1 were achieved at a filter-medium contact time of 60 sec. Efficiency increased at higher temperatures that promote higher biological activity, and decreased at lower pH, which dropped down to pH 5.5 possibly as a result of carbon dioxide and volatile fatty acid production and ammonia consumption during VOC degradation. In comparison, other studies have shown that a bench-scale RDB could achieve a removal efficiency of 95% and elimination capacity of 331 g COD m^?3 · hr^?1. Sustainable performance of the pilot-scale RDB was challenged by the intermittent nature of painting operations, which typically resulted in 3-day long shutdown periods when bacteria were not fed. This challenge was overcome by adding sucrose (2 g/L weekly) as an auxiliary substrate to sustain metabolic activity during shutdown periods.     

矿化垃圾生物反应床处理奶牛场废水的工艺参数

试验考察了矿化垃圾生物反应床工艺处理奶牛场废水出水水质与配水负荷的关系。试验研究表明，出水CODcr、NH4-N浓度分别与配水负荷呈线性和指数相关；TN的去除率仅为60％左右，是选择最佳配水负荷的限制性因素；综合考虑废水处理能力和NO3-N的反硝化，配水速率可以保守选择0．09～0．11cm／h。     

Development of a Method for the Analysis of NO2 and NH3 by NO-Measuring Instruments

Adaptation of available instruments to the analysis of NO₂ and NH₃ became important with the introduction of the Federal Constant Volume Sampling procedure for exhaust analysis in 1970. Two instruments, the NO optical detector (NOOD) and the non-dispersive infrared analyzer (ND1R), are both fast and accurate. The use of a system of two converters in conjunction with either of these instruments permits the analysis of a gas stream for NO, NO₂, and NH₃. NO is measured on the gas stream before conversion; NO₂ is determined after the gas stream has passed over a C-Mo converter at 475°C; and NH₃ is determined after the gas has been conducted over a C-Cu converter.     

Removal of SO2 from O2-containing flue gas by activated carbon fiber (ACF) impregnated with NH3

Adsorption of SO(2) from the O(2)-containing flue gas by granular activated carbons (GACs) and activated carbon fibers (ACFs) impregnated with NH(3) was studied in this technical note. Experimental results showed that the ACFs were high-quality adsorbents due to their unique textural properties. In the presence of moisture, the desulphurization efficiency for the ACFs was improved significantly due to the formation of sulfuric acid. After NH(3) impregnation of ACF samples, nitrogen-containing functional groups (pyridyl C(5)H(4)N- and pyrrolyl C(4)H(4)N-) were detected on the sample surface by using an X-ray photoelectron spectrometer. These functional groups accounted for the enhanced SO(2) adsorption via chemisorption and/or catalytic oxidization.     

凹凸棒石粘土脱硫剂脱除硫化氢实验研究

采用凹凸棒石脱硫剂在常温常压下脱除高浓度硫化氢(H2S),研究了凹凸棒石含量、活性组分含量和焙烧温度等因素在脱除H 2S中对脱硫效率和硫容量的影响.实验结果表明,以凹凸棒石为主原料、添加20%～30%(质量分数)的活性组分后,对高浓度低流速的H2S具有较高的脱除效率和较大的硫容量.     

生物催化氧化法脱除H2S的填料选择研究

针对H2S污染的严峻形势,构建了包括催化再生装置和生物滴滤器的生物催化氧化装置,进行了装置的填料选择研究.经对比试验得出填料脱硫性能的优劣顺序为:沸石＞焦炭＞多面空心塑料小球.在温度为30 ℃、进气量为0.25 m3/h、进气H2S为2 000 mg/m3、喷淋量为1 000 mL/h、喷淋液的pH为1.97、Fe3 为0.05 mol/L的条件下,装填沸石的生物催化氧化装置的出气H2S浓度足以达到<恶臭污染物排放标准>(GB 14554-93)规定的一级厂界标准值.试验证明,生物催化氧化法是有效的新型脱除H2S技术,具有良好的经济、社会及环境效益,应进一步开展中试研究.     

NaClO_2/H_2O_2复合吸收剂同时脱硫脱硝实验研究

在喷淋塔中,对NaClO_2/H_2O_2复合吸收剂(简称复合吸收剂)同时去除烟气中的SO_2和NO进行了研究。考察了复合吸收剂摩尔浓度(H_2O_2与NaClO_2摩尔浓度之和)、H_2O_2和NaClO_2的摩尔比、pH、温度和液气比对SO_2和NO去除率的影响。结果表明:保持H_2O_2和NaClO_2的摩尔比为6,当复合吸收剂摩尔浓度小于7mmol/L时,SO_2和NO去除率随着复合吸收剂浓度的升高而增加,当复合吸收剂摩尔浓度大于7 mmol/L时,SO_2和NO去除率基本不再变化;保持复合吸收剂摩尔浓度为7 mmol/L,当H_2O_2和NaClO_2的摩尔比在6以下时,摩尔比越大,SO_2和NO的去除率越高,超过6以后,去除率不再增加;复合吸收剂的氧化性能在pH为5.5时最大;当温度在60℃以下时,随着温度的升高,NO的去除率增加,但当温度超过60℃后,NO的去除率反而降低。综合考虑成本和处理效果,最优化条件为H_2O_2和NaClO_2的摩尔比为6,复合吸收剂摩尔浓度为7 mmol/L,pH为6.0,温度为60℃,液气比为20.0L/m3。在最佳条件下,SO_2和NO去除率分别达到99.5%、84.3%。     

O3/ H2O2法对生化出水中不同种类有机物的去除效果研究

采用XAD-8/XAD-4吸附树脂联用技术将城市污水生化出水中有机物分为疏水酸、非酸疏水物质、弱疏水物质及亲水物质4类有机物,研究了O3/H2O2法对这4类有机物的去除效果.结果表明:(1)O3/H2O2法对生化出水中有机物的去除效果明显好于O3法、H2O2法.反应60 min时,O3/H2O2法对溶解有机碳(DOC)和254 nm波长处的单位比色皿光程下的紫外吸光度(UV254)的去除率分别达到49%和82%.(2)生化出水经O3/H2O2处理后,一部分疏水性有机物(疏水酸和非酸疏水物质)在反应过程中转化为亲水性有机物(弱疏水物质和亲水物质).(3)生化出水中71%的三卤甲烷生成势(THMFP)由疏水酸和亲水物质产生,特别是疏水酸,其产生的THMFP占总量的48%.反应60 min时,O3/H2O2法对疏水酸、非酸疏水物质、弱疏水物质和亲水物质产生的THMFP的去除率分别为64%、100%、88%和18%.     

A Simple Technique for Measuring Mean H2S Concentration

Lead acetate impregnated ceramic tiles are useful devices for determining H₂S levels in the outdoor air. The exposure of tiles in simple shelters and for an overnight period is effective in an areawide sampling program to determine: (1) whether a significant H₂S source exists, (2) the source location, (3) the area affected, and (4) the relative intensity pattern.

On the basis of an overnight exposure, tiles can “see” a mean H₂S concentration range of 0.003 to 0.3 ppm. The lower level of sensitivity is near 0.03 ppm X hr. Hence, tiles offer a way to verify whether hourly air quality standards are being exceeded.

Tiles can be qualitatively evaluated against: experience, known effects, or by ranking against each other. Tiles can be semi-quantitatively evaluated by visual grading against painted standards developed by exposing tiles of particular manufacture to known H₂S dosages.     

Panel Bed Filters for Simultaneous Removal of Fly Ash and Sulfur Dioxide:

Experimental studies of the filtration of dilute aerosols of Dow microspheres by beds of sand have been conducted with flows passing vertically upward, vertically downward, and horizontally. With the use of Happel’s “free surface” model for a granular bed, the results can be correlated reasonably well by semiempirical, semitheoretical considerations taking into account collection by diffusion, gravity settling, direct interception, and inertial impaction. The results are preliminary to experiments to be made on filtration of aerosols by a filter cake of fly ash resting upon a sand bed.