The removal of ethyl benzene in a laboratory scale biofilter was
investigated using a mixed microbial culture immobilized on a tree bark and
proflex media based biofilter. The effect of operating variables namely inlet
VOC concentration and flow rate were studied in the range of 1.0-4.0 g/m
$^3$
and
0.25-1.0 m
$^3$
/h. The maximum removal efficiency of ethyl benzene attained was 98%
with an initial concentration of 1.0 g/m
$^3$
and Empty Bed Residence Time of 282
s. Increasing the inlet ethyl benzene concentration and the air flow rate
reduced the removal performance of the biofilter. A maximum elimination
capacity of 130.5 g/m
$^3$
/h was achieved under optimal conditions. Temperature
variation of approximately 4.4°C was observed during the entire
biofiltration period confirming the exothermic nature of bio-reaction. Maximum
carbon dioxide production of 310.1 g/m
$^3$
/h was recorded when the maximum
elimination capacity was achieved.
