Effects of Operational Conditions on the Performance of Triethylamine Biofiltration

Nitrogen compounds such as triethylamine are odorants generally found in chemical plants and foundries in which cold-box cores are made. In this study, the efficiency of biofiltration of triethylamine (TEA) vapor was evaluated. Experiments were conducted in two 6-L biofilters arranged in three stages and packed with inoculated compost - wood chips (40:60v/v) as the filter medium. The seed inoculum was obtained from municipal activated sludge. Tests were made to compare effects of initial temperature (30±1°C, biofilter A) and (23±2 °C, biofilter B) on the performance of the biofilter. TEA elimination rate pattern was evaluated by changing loading rates (6-138 gm^-3h^-1 and hydraulic retention times (40-60 s) while operating at constant temperature and humidity at 50-55%. Results showed that organic loading rates (OLR) of up to 114.4 gm^-3h^-1 (biofilter A) and 90.56 gm^-3h^-1 (biofilter B) could be handled without any apparent indication of maximum elimination capacity and substrate inhibition. The elimination capacity of biofilters could reach up to 72 gm^-3h^-1 (biofilter A) and 61.5 gm^-3h^-1(biofilter B). When the loading of TEA exceeded the critical values, substrate inhibition occurred and the elimination capacity decreased. However, the requirement of keeping the pressure drop below 4 cm water gauge per meter of bed height to avoid operational problems warranted lower than maximum capacity operation. The optimal OLR values of 90±14 gm^-3h^-1 are suggested for hydraulic retention time value of 48 s and temperature of 30±1°C. Under these conditions, elimination capacity of 71±3 gm^-3h^-1and removal efficiency of 81±14% was achieved.