An activated sludge aeration tank and a sieve-plate column with six sieve plates were utilized to remove gas-borne volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air streams. The tank was used for the biodegradation of absorbed VOCs from the column that utilized the activated mixed liquor drawn from the tank as scrubbing liquor. This research proposed a model for VOC absorption to a down-flow activated sludge liquor in a sieve-plate column. Experiments were conducted and the model was verified based on results of tests on removal efficiencies of isopropyl alcohol, toluene, and p-xylene in the system operated at a range of influent VOC concentrations, air application rates, and liquid/gas flow ratios (L/G). Analysis of the model for effects of affecting parameters on VOC removal effectiveness indicates that L/G, plate number N, biodegradation rate constant k, Henry's law constant of VOC H are important.
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