• KSBB Journal
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• v.21 no.1 s.96
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• pp.34-41
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• 2006

The aim of this study is the development of biological removal process of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) in odor gas, which is generated from the waste food recycling process. To develop the removal process of odor gas, MEK, the selection of proper biofilter support was carried out. When the biofilter equipment was passed by synthetic odor gas composed of 250 ppm of MEK, the maximum removal was achieved to $586.6g-MEK/m^3\;hr$ for polypropylene fibril as support. Under the same experimental conditions, the maximum removal in polyurethane support was obtained to $359.7 g-MEK/m^3\;hr$. Finally, the maximum removal in volcanic stone support was $56.2g-MEK/m^3\;hr$.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.797-805
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• 2012

Contribution of immobilized media with bacteria to the odor removal was evaluated in a lab scale bio-filter compared to that with sponge or ceramic media without the immobilized bacteria. Candida tropicalis for volatile organic compounds and ammonium oxidizing bacteria (AOB) for inorganic compounds were used as seeds in lab-scale bio-reactors. Three different type of media in the bio-reactors that immobilized bioreactor (IBR), sponge bioreactor (SBR), and ceramic bioreactor (CBR) were examined, respectively. An empty bed contact time (EBCT) of the bio-filters was fixed as 60 seconds, and the inlet concentration of toluene was changed from 20 ppm to 200 ppm to observe the removal efficiency depending on the concentrations. As a result, the maximum elimination capacities of IBR, SBR, and CBR were 166 $g/m^3/hr$, 138 $g/m^3/hr$, and 138 $g/m^3/hr$, respectively. In addition, toluene as an organic compound and ammonia as an inorganic compound were applied together with different inlet concentrations varied from 80 ppm to 250 ppm of toluene and from 2.5 ppm to 40 ppm of ammonia. The toluene maximum elimination capacities in IBR, SBR, and CBR were 97.4 $g/m^3/hr$, 59.5 $g/m^3/hr$, and 81.9 $g/m^3/hr$, respectively. The ammonia maximum elimination capacities were reached as 7.2 $g/m^3/hr$ in IBR, 6.6 $g/m^3/hr$ in SBR, and 7.0 $g/m^3/hr$ in CBR.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.136-144
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• 2001

Two organic materials, peat and rock wool were used for removal of $H_2S$ by a biofilter inoculated with night soil sludge. By gradually increasing the inlet load of $H_2S$, the complete removal capacity, which was defined as the inlet load of $H_2S$ that was complete removed, and the maximum removal capacity of $H_2S$, which was the value when the removal capacity leveled off for organic materials, were estimated. Both values for Rock wool are larger than peat, based on a unit dry weight of material. By using kinetic analysis, the maximum removal rate of $H_2S$, $V_m$, and the saturation constant, $K_s$, were determined for all packing materials and the values of $V_m$ for rock wool was found to be larger. By using the kinetic parameters, the removal rates for $H_2S$ were compared both packing materials, and rock wool showed better performance for the removal of $H_2S$ in the inlet concentration range of 0~200ppm.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.188-193
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• 2006

A new type of biofilter, a rotating drum biotrickling filter(RDBF), was developed and operated for the removal of styrene from industrial waste gas. The porous polyurethane foam sheet was used as a packing materials for the RDBF and a pure culture of Gram-positive bacterium Brevibacillus sp. SP1 was used as an inoculum. The reactor showed a short start-up period of 18 days, during which uniform biofilms were developed on the packing. During a steady operation at an incoming styrene concentration of $200ppm_v$ and a retention time of 0.5 min, a high and stable removal of styrene over 95% was observed. The maximum elimination capacity was estimated to be $125g/m^3{\cdot}hr$. The outstanding performance was attributed to an efficient gas-liquid mass transfer and the appropriate supply of nutrient solution to the biofilm microorganisms on the packing by the rotation of the drum.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.469-473
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• 2000

We studied the removal of toluene vapors in a lab-scale biofiter. Biofiltration was performed in a column fed in a downflow manner with contaminated air at ambient conditions. The column was packed with a mixture of peat and calstone(5:3 vol. Ratio), which was inoculated with microbes of selected stains(Pseudomonas putida type A). The microorganisms were immobilized on the filter media and biofilms were formed. The fiofilter was operated at various inlet toluene concentrations for days, and treated up to a maximum elimination capacity of $20 g/m^3hr$ at an inlet load of $30 g/m^3hr$, which corresponds to removal efficiencies in the range 20∼90% and a gas retention time of 1 to 2 min. The pressure drop was almost negligible over the biofilter columns, amounting to only $1.062 cmH_2O/m$ and appreciably smaller than other studies. The effects of operating conditions such as flow rate, inlet toluene concentration and moisture content on the performance of the biofilter were sequentially investigated.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.470-473
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• 2008

A pilot-plant biofilter ($1750\;m\;W{\times}2750\;mm\;L{\times}2000\;mm\;H$) packed with polyurethane foam ($20\;m\;W{\times}20\;mm\;L{\times}20\;mm\;H$) was installed in an pharmaceutical plant emitting gas streams containing n-hexane and alcohols. The biofilter was successfully operated for 74 days under highly fluctuating incoming concentrations at a residence time of 12.8-24.8 sec. Alcohols and n-hexane were removed by more than 90% from 5 and 20 days after start up, respectively. Malodor was also removed more than 95% from 20 days after start up.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.820-825
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• 2007

Earthworm casting was the natural fertilizer that contained high concentrations of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphate and potassium and of over $10^8$ CFU/ml of microorganisms. Greater than 80% of feed was excreted through the fermentation by the intestinal enzyme, after worm had eaten feeds such as fallen leaves and rotten roots under the ground. Also, the soil structure of casting was known to be very efficient in the aspects of the porosity, the water permeability, and deodorizing activities. In this research, the biofilter packed with a biomedia made of casting and waste polyurethane foam, a binder, which helped to improve the durability and perpetuity of casting, was investigated to degrade malodorous hydrogen sulfide gas. The biomedia had no need of extra supply of nutrients and of microbial inoculations. On the beginning of the operations, it showed 100% removal of hydrogen sulfide gas without lag phase. At SV of 50 $h^{-1}$, hydrogen sulfide gas from the outlet of the biofilter was not detected, when inlet concentration increased to 450 ppmv. After that, removal efficiency decreased as increasing inlet hydrogen sulfide concentration. Hydrogen sulfide removal was maintained at almost 93% until inlet concentration was increased up to 950 ppmv, at which the elimination capacity of $H_2S$ was 61.2 g $S{\cdot}m^{-3}{\cdot}h^{-1}$. Maximum elimination capacity guaranteing 90% removal was 61.2, 65.9, 84.7, 89.4 g $S{\cdot}m^{-3}{\cdot}h^{-1}$ at SV ranging from 50 $h^{-1}$ to 300 $h^{-1}$, but was 59.3 g $S{\cdot}m^{-3}{\cdot}h^{-1}$ at SV of 400 $h^{-1}$. The results calculated from Michaelis-Menten equation revealed that $V_m$ increased from 66.04, 88.96, 117.35, 224.15, to 227.54 g $S{\cdot}m^{-3}{\cdot}h^{-1}$ with increasing space velocity in the range of 50 $h^{-1}$ to 400 $h^{-1}$. However, saturation constant$(K_s)$ decreased from 79.97 ppmv to 64.95 and 65.37 ppmv, and then increased to 127.72 and 157.43 ppmv.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.491-498
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• 2009

We studied to develop high-efficiency removal system of odor and VOCs(Volatile Organic Compounds) from environmental infrastructure facilities and oil refineries, painting facilities and so on. It can replace RTO and RCO. We tried an removal experiment for VOCs (toluene, xylene, benzene, MEK(methyl ethyl ketone), ethanol, formalin etc. and odor compounds (hydrogen sulfide, etc.). In process, as pre-treatment we used the scrubber with vortex flow (Multi-scrone) to remove the hydrophilic VOCs and as post-treatment, used fibrous bio-filter to remove the hydrophobic VOCs. This hybrid system remove with high efficiency both the hydrophilic VOCs and hydrophobic VOCs. And we tried to make this system to be compact. In experiment using Multi-scrone, contact time is 2~3 seconds and absorption scrubbing water is diaphragm-type electrolysis water. hydrophilic VOCs like ethanol and relatively hydrophilic odor compounds like hydrogen sulfide is excellent, these substances has been removed almost completely, respectively 95~99%, 93~97%. And for MEK, formalin also Showed a high removal efficiency, respectively 78~90%, 72~85%. But in experiment using Multi-scrone, the hydrophobic VOCs like BTX showed a low removal efficiency, respectively 16~22%, 12~18%, 8~16%. In hydrophobic VOCs, toluene removal experiment using fibrous bio-filter, early efficiency was low but after 10days, adaptation period showed high efficiency 85~95%. but in the mixed phase, toluene and MEK efficiency reduced 5~10%. this show microorganism treat first MEK easy to remove. The removal efficiency for MEK using the fibrous biofilter was stable, 80~92%. This hybrid system is also high economical efficiency for RTO. This system reduce more than 50% the cost of equipment and maintenance. As a result, we expect this technology is in the limelight as high efficiency treatment of VOCs in mid-low price.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.268-276
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• 2018

BACKGROUND: In the month of January 2018, fine dust alerts and warnings were issued 36 times for $PM_{10}$ and 81 times for PM2.5. Air quality is becoming a serious issue nation-wide. Although interest in air-purifying plants is growing due to the controversy over the risk of chemical substances of regular air-purifying solutions, industrial spread of the plants has been limited due to their efficiency in air-conditioning perspective. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study aims to propose a vegetation-based bio-filter system that can assure total indoor air volume for the efficient application of air-purifying plants. In order to evaluate the quantitative performance of the system, time-series analysis was conducted on air-conditioning performance, indoor air quality, and comfort index improvement effects in a lecture room-style laboratory with 16 persons present in the room. The system provided 4.24 ACH ventilation rate and reduced indoor temperature by $1.6^{\circ}C$ and black bulb temperature by $1.0^{\circ}C$. Relative humidity increased by 24.4% and deteriorated comfort index. However, this seemed to be offset by turbulent flow created from the operation of air blowers. While $PM_{10}$ was reduced by 39.5% to $22.11{\mu}g/m^3$, $CO_2$ increased up to 1,329ppm. It is interpreted that released $CO_2$ could not be processed because light compensation point was not reached. As for the indoor comfort index, PMV was reduced by 83.6 % and PPD was reduced by 47.0% on average, indicating that indoor space in a comfort range could be created by operating vegetation-based bio-filters. CONCLUSION: The study confirmed that the vegetation-based bio-filter system is effective in lowering indoor temperature and $PM_{10}$ and has positive effects on creating comfortable indoor space in terms of PMV and PPD.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.87-98
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• 2024

This study was conducted to investigate the efficiency of the filtering sets composed of fiberboards, which were fabricated with lignocellulosic fiber and cork oak bark-based activated carbon (COA), as well as traditional Korean paper handmade from mulberry trees (KP) for the filtration of PM, TVOC and HCHO. Three-layers fiberboards (WRF) were fabricated with wood fiber in its surface layers and recycled fiber/COA in its core layer using a protein-based adhesive with the resin content of 8%. Filtering sets were composed of three WRF and one sheet of KP. Concentrations of PM, TVOC and HCHO generated with the combustion of a incense in a sealed laboratory hood were reduced efficiently with the operation of air-purifier installed the filtering sets. Except for the WRF fabricated with 4%/4% resin contents, other WRF were prepared with 5%/3% and 6%/2% resin contents in surface/core layers, and then the WRF were used with KP for the fabrication of filtering sets. Filtration efficiency of the filtering sets was improved as the core-layer resin content applied in the fabrication of WRF decreased. In addition, filtration efficiency of the WRF-based filtering set fabricated with KP of 25 g/m² basis weight was higher than that with KP of 45 g/m² basis weight. Filtering sets composed of three-layers fiberboards (RWF) that recycled fiber and wood fiber/COA were used in its surface and core layers, respectively, and KP-25g showed higher filtration efficiency than those of WRF-based filtering sets. Air-inhalation equipment installed the RWF-based, WRF-based filtering sets and without filtering set were operated in small indoor and large outdoor spaces. Efficiency for filtering PM and TVOC of the RWF-based filtering sets was higher than that of other filtering sets. It is concluded that fiberboard-based filtering sets composed of RWF and KP-25g can be used as a filter for reducing the concentrations of PM and TVOC existed in indoor and outdoor spaces.