EXPERIENCES IN FULL-SCALE INSTALLATION OF BIOFILTER

In this paper, the results of the process of designing, installing and commissioning the
full-scale biofilter systems will be discussed. All of the biofilter system utilized an
inorganic synthetic media. The objective of this paper is to emphasize major pitfalls in
specifying full-scale biofilter systems, wherein the impact of inlet concentration on
treatment efficiency is often ignored, and simultaneous treatment requirements of exit
odor levels as well as treatment efficiencies for hydrogen sulfide and each of the major
reduced sulfur compounds are required to be met by the full-scale system. The major
differences between the performances of a biofilter, thermal oxidizer and chemical
treatment systems will be discussed, with special emphasis on correctly specifying
biofilter systems to meet the goals of odor control at a wastewater treatment plant.