Effectiveness of removal of sulphur compounds from the air after 3 years of biofiltration with a mixture of compost soil, peat, coconut fibre and oak bark

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the duration of the use of a biofiltration bed on the efficiency of biofiltration of sulphur compounds and on the physicochemical and microbiological properties of the bed. The study was carried out at an animal waste treatment plant. Two biofiltration chambers (beds A and B) filled with different organic mixtures (compost soil, peat, coconut fibre and oak bark) were used in the biofilter. Chromatographic analysis showed a very high rate of effectiveness in the first study period, irrespective of the packaging material used. The best effects were obtained for inorganic sulphur compounds (above 99%). The duration of use of the bed material was shown to affect the efficiency of biofiltration. After 3 years of operation, thiol degradation efficiency fell below 50%. The biological decomposition of inorganic compounds (H2S + SO2) was 73% and 59.6% in beds A and B, respectively. Analysis of the biofiltration material indicated stabilization of its physicochemical parameters. Numbers of bacteria were not found to be depend on the duration of use or the type of filtering media.

Keywords

• animal waste treatment plant
• biofiltration
• sulphur compounds
• compost soil
• peat
• coconut fibres
• oak bark