Biofiltration of Nitrous Oxide Using Cow-Manure Based Compost as Medium Filter

Abstract

Nitrous oxide (N 2 O) gas is a fourth contributor in the greenhouse effect after CO 2 , CH 4 , and water vapor. Although its concentration is relatively low, but very difficult to be decomposed in the atmosphere. A laboratory-scale biofilter was used to evaluate the effects of flow rate, medium depth, and water content of filter medium on the N 2 O removal effi-ciency and the growth of microorganisms in the compost. The biofilter was operated using cow-manure based compost medium with husk and coco peat as bulking agent. Research was carried out by batch flow system for 9 hours. The re-sult indicates that the highest N 2 O removal efficiency is obtained under flow rate of 88 cm 3 /min with a depth of 50 cm and water content 50% (w/w) by 61%, and elimination capacity for 14,078 g/(m 3 ·h) was achieved.