Kinetics and Modeling of H2S Removal in a Novel Biofilter

Abstract

Biofiltration has become a widely accepted technology for the removal of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) which is one of the major odor causing gases present in the air streams of municipal wastewater treatment facilities. In addition to odorous nature, H2S 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 H2S removal performance data were collected and subsequently used in the determination of kinetics and modeling of H2S. 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 H2S dispersion is conducted. The dispersion study confirmed a biofilter installation at the pumping station site would significantly reduce H2S levels in the University community and would provide cleaner air.