Toluene-styrene secondary acclimation improved the styrene removal ability of biotrickling filter

Abstract

In this work, ceramic pellets were used as packing material to establish a biotrickling filter (BTF) with acclimated sludge being inoculated on the surface of the packing to purify waste gas containing styrene. A method of toluene-styrene secondary acclimation was applied to achieve rapid formation of biological films. Results showed that the total time of start-up was 48 days and the removal efficiency (RE) of styrene reached up to 95%. The suitable empty bed residence time (EBRT) was obtained that is 57 s for higher RE of styrene with the inlet loading rates of 6.7–271.6 g/m3/h. The pH and moisture content showed small effect on styrene removal indicating that the operation of BTF was stable. Biomass accumulation was normal and its rising velocity under the condition of short EBRT was faster than that of long EBRT.

Keywords

• Biotrickling filter
• styrene
• biodegradation
• ceramic pellets