Effects of design parameters on performance and cost analysis of combined ultraviolet-biofilter systems treating gaseous chlorobenzene based on mathematical modeling

Abstract

A conceptual mathematical model was used to evaluate the design parameters of a combined ultraviolet (UV)-biofilter system, and perform a cost analysis. Results showed that the UV light source strength and the gas residence times in the UV system (UVRT) and biofilter (EBRT) had positive effects on the overall chlorobenzene removal efficiency of the system. High ratio of UVRT to EBRT improved the removal efficiency, suggesting that the UV system has a greater effect on the overall performance of the system compared with the biofilter. Analysis of the capital and operating costs showed that the capital costs of the standalone biofilter system were much higher than those of the standalone UV system. However, the biofilter operating costs were lower than those of the UV system. The operating costs of the combined UV-biofilter system increased with increasing UVRT/EBRT ratio, whereas its capital costs decreased.

Keywords

volatile organic compounds / ultraviolet (UV) photodegradation / biofilter / modeling / cost analysis

References

[1] Kan E, Deshusses M A. Modeling of a foamed emulsion bioreactor: II. model parametric sensitivity. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 2009, 102(3): 708-713

[2] Kennes C, Veiga M C. Fungal biocatalysts in the biofiltration of VOC-polluted air. Journal of Biotechnology, 2004, 113(1-3): 305-319

[3] Delhoménie M C, Heitz M. Elimination of chlorobenzene vapors from air in a compost-based biofilter. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology (Oxford, Oxfordshire), 2003, 78(5): 588-595

[4] Koh L H, Kuhn D C, Mohseni M, Allen D G. Utilizing ultraviolet photooxidation as a pre-treatment of volatile organic compounds upstream of a biological gas cleaning operation. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology (Oxford, Oxfordshire), 2004, 79(6): 619-625

[5] Moussavi G, Mohseni M. Using UV pretreatment to enhance biofiltration of mixtures of aromatic VOCs. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2007, 144(1-2): 59-66

[6] Jorio H, Bibeau L, Heitz M. Biofiltration of air contaminated by styrene: effect of nitrogen supply, gas flow rate and inlet concentration. Environmental Science & Technology, 2000, 34(9): 1764-1771

[7] Jang J H, Hirai M, Shoda M. Enhancement of styrene removal efficiency in biofilter by mixed cultures of Pseudomonas sp. SR-5. Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering, 2006, 102(1): 53-59

[8] Wang C, Xi J Y, Hu H Y, Yao Y. Advantages of combined UV photodegradation and biofiltration processes to treat gaseous chlorobenzene. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2009, 171(1-3): 1120-1125

[9] Wang C, Xi J Y, Hu H Y, Yao Y. Effects of UV pretreatment on microbial community structure and metabolic characteristics in a subsequent biofilter treating gaseous chlorobenzene. Bioresource Technology, 2009, 100(23): 5581-5587

[10] Wang C, Xi J Y, Hu H Y, Kang I S. Modeling of a combined ultraviolet-biofilter system to treat gaseous chlorobenzene I: model development and parametric sensitivity. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association , 2011, 61(3): 295-301 β

[11] Zilli M, Palazzi E, Sene L, Converti A, Del Borghi M. Toluene and styrene removal from air in biofilters. Process Biochemistry, 2001, 37(4): 423-429

[12] Gabaldon C, Soria V M, Martin M, Marzal P, Roja J M P, Hornos J A. Removal of TEX vapours from air in a peat biofilter: influence of inlet concentration and inlet load. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology (Oxford, Oxfordshire), 2006, 81(3): 322-328

[13] Austin D K, Sandosham A, Ventola R J, Holmes J. Four cases studies: technical and economic feasibility of biofiltration as a technology for VOC and odor control. In: Proceedings of the 1995 Conference on Biofiltration (an Air Pollution Control Technology), Los Angeles. Los Angeles: UB/TIB Hannover Press, 1995, 295-302

[14] Devinny J S, Deshusses M A, Webster T S. Biofiltration for Air Pollution Control. New York: Lewis Publishers. 1999, 174-175

[15] Estrada J M, Kraakman N J R, Muñoz R, Lebrero R. A comparative analysis of odour treatment technologies in wastewater treatment plants. Environmental Science & Technology, 2011, 45(3): 1100-1106

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg