Chapter 3 - Determination of biofilter performances
Résumé
In this chapter, models used to determine the overall degradation performances of a biofilter (modified Michaelis–Menten model; Haldane model, Ottengraf and Van den Oever model) are discussed. New strategies based on the original model developed by Ottengraf and Van den Oever are also proposed. First, a rapid procedure allowing the determination of the maximum elimination capacity (ECmax) of a biofilter with an accuracy of ±10% is described. This procedure has the advantage of accurately determining the overall biofilter performances in real time, even at an industrial scale. Second, a tool allowing an easy comparison of the performances of laboratory-scale biofilters is introduced. Through the determination of an overall parameter (called αlump), biofilter performances can be compared, whatever the composition and the configuration of the packing bed (mixtures or layers of packing materials) and whatever the empty bed residence time of the gas in the bed.