Kinetics and Modeling of H2S Removal in a Novel Biofilter

Abstract

Biofiltration has become a widely accepted technology for the removal of hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) which is one of the major odor causing gases present in the air streams of municipal wastewater treatment facilities. In addition to odorous nature, H 2 S is toxic and corrosive. In this study, a biofilter which uses a novel media was employed in a pumping station which is closely located at the University City, Sharjah, UAE. The H 2 S removal performance data were collected and subsequently used in the determination of kinetics and modeling of H 2 S. The data were best represented by a first order biofilter model. Based on the first order kinetic constant , a correlation is developed to predict concentrations at the biofilter outlet. Based on the predicted outlet concentrations and dispersion (gaussian and US-EPA AERMOD) models, a study on H 2 S dispersion is conducted. The dispersion study confirmed a biofilter installation at the pumping station site would significantly reduce H 2 S levels in the University community and would provide cleaner air.