High throughput biofiltration for odour control at water purification plant

[Abstract] A high throughput trickling biofilter for odour control was designed basing on the principles of biotrickling filter technology developed in Moscow Bakh Institute of Biochemistry. All the necessary blocks except a fan: temperature and humidity control unit, a biofilter bed, an irrigation system, a control block and display unit are combined within one compact biofiltration module – a standard container 6000x2400x2400 mm. The plant is thermo-insulated that enables outdoor installation. The biofilter is easily scaled up by adding extra filtration beds. A typical biofiltration module rated for 5,000-10,000 m3/h has a contact time of 3-6 s (biofilter bed total volume – 10.5 m3) and a maximum footprint of 14.5 m2. After extensive pilot plant studies the first 5000 m3/h trickling biofilter easily scalable to 20000 m3/h was installed at Moscow Water Works in spring 2007 to control odour emissions - hydrogen sulfide, mercaptanes and other malodorous volatile organic compounds in up to 60 mg/m3 concentration. The performance results of the industrial biofilter are discusse