Biofiltration of bitumen vapours - Operational aspects

[Abstract] This study was carried out in response to odour problems around a bitumen mixing and storage plant. The general objective of this study was to determine the potential of biofiltration for the treatment of air containing bitumen vapours. Two pilot-scale biofilters, a single-stage system and a two-stage system, were operated using a synthetic gas for a period of 106 days. Results demonstrated that a period of about 50 days was necessary to reach a steady state. The two biofilters performed very well in regards to H2S, while VOC treatment was much less efficient. Maximum elimination capacities of 25 g·m-3·h-1 for H2S and 5.3 g·m-3·h-1 for VOCs were obtained with the two-stage system. It was possible to establish certain operating conditions necessary for proper operation and to determine that a two-stage system is more efficient for the simultaneous treatment of H2S and VOCs