DYNAMIC MODELING OF AMMONIA BIOFILTRATION FROM WASTE GASES

A dynamic model to describe ammonia removal in a gas-phase biofilter was developed. The math-ematical model is based on discretized mass balances and detailed nitrification kinetics that include inhibitory effects caused by free ammonia (FA) and free nitrous acid (FNA). The model was able to pre-dict experimental results operation under different loading rates (from 3.2 to 13.2 g NH3 h-1 m-3). In par-ticular the model was capable of reproducing inhibition caused by high inlet ammonia concentrations. Also elimination capacity was accurately predicted. Experimental data was also used to optimize certain model parameters such as the concentration of ammonia- and nitrite-oxidizing biomass