Evaluation of full-scale carbon dioxide stripping columns in a coldwater recirculating system

AbstractThe objective of this research was to evaluate the dissolved carbon dioxide stripping efficiency of two types of 1-m tall structured plastic packing (tubular NORPAC and structured block CF-3000 Accu-Pac media) that were placed separately in two full-scale forced-ventilation cascade columns that were located within a coldwater recirculating aquaculture system at the Freshwater Institute. These two structured packing types were selected because they both provide large 4–5 cm void spaces that are either vertically-continuous (e.g. the tubular NORPAC) or an open structure with zigzagging but continuous void spaces (e.g. the blocks of cross-corrugated sheet media), which should reduce the likelihood of plugging with biosolids. Water flow rates were adjusted so that each cascade column was loaded with either 87, 136 and 187 m3/h water flow per m2 of cascade column plan area (i.e. 35, 56 and 76 gpm/ft2). Air:water loading rates of 2.2:1 to 3.4:1, 5.1:1 to 5.6:1, and 9.5:1 to 9.9:1 were produced by setting the water flow rates through each column at 1.62, 2.54 and 3.48 m3/min, respectively, and then measuring the resulting air flow rate through the column under these conditions. As expected, the dissolved carbon dioxide removal efficiencies of both structured packing tested were found to depend on the volumetric air:water loading rate applied. The lowest volumetric air:water loading rate (i.e. 2.2:1 to 3.4:1) resulted in only 21–24% dissolved carbon dioxide removal. However, the dissolved carbon dioxide removal efficiencies rose to 32.4–33.6 and 35.8–37.2% for the medium and high air:water loading rates, i.e. 5.1:1 to 5.6:1 and 9.5:1 to 9.9:1, respectively. A second objective of this research was to determine if either packing would plug with biosolids after long-term operation. At the end of approximately 1 year of operation, both of the plastic packing materials were examined from the top of the packing to determine if potential fouling or plugging problems were apparent. A thin layer of brown biofilm covered both packings, but the biofilm did not appear to threaten water or airflow through the packing. In addition, no large mats of biosolids were visible from the top of either column. However, flooding at the interface of the support screen and the tubular NORPAC was suspected to have reduced air flows measured at the highest hydraulic loading rate tested (i.e. at 187 m3/h per m2), which coincided with the lowest air:water loading rates tested