Styrene and Bioaerosol Removal from Waste Air with a Combined Biotrickling Filter and DBD–Plasma System

Steffen Helbich, Daniel Dobslaw, Andreas Schulz and Karl-Heinrich Engesser
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Steffen Helbich: Department of Biological Waste Air Purification, Institute of Sanitary Engineering, Water Quality and Solid Waste Management, University of Stuttgart, Bandtäle 2, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
Daniel Dobslaw: Department of Biological Waste Air Purification, Institute of Sanitary Engineering, Water Quality and Solid Waste Management, University of Stuttgart, Bandtäle 2, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
Andreas Schulz: Institute of Interfacial Process Engineering and Plasma Technology, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 31, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
Karl-Heinrich Engesser: Department of Biological Waste Air Purification, Institute of Sanitary Engineering, Water Quality and Solid Waste Management, University of Stuttgart, Bandtäle 2, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 21, 1-22

Abstract: A combined system of a biotrickling filter and a non-thermal plasma (NTP) in a downstream airflow was operated for 1220 days for treatment of emissions of styrene and secondary emissions of germs formed in the biological process. The biotrickling filter was operated at variable inlet concentrations, empty bed residence times (EBRT), type and dosage of fertilizers, irrigation densities, and starvation periods, while dielectric barrier discharge and corona discharge were operated at different specific input energy levels to achieve optimal conditions. Under these conditions, efficiencies in the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), germs and styrene of 96–98%, 1–4 log units and 24.7–50.1 g C m −3 h −1 were achieved, respectively. Fluid simulations of the NTP and a germ emission-based clocking of the discharge reveal further energy saving potentials of more than 90%. The aim of an energy-efficient elimination of VOCs through a biotrickling filter and of secondary germ emissions by a NTP stage in a downstream airflow for potential re-use of purified waste gas as process gas for industrial application was successfully accomplished.

Keywords: styrene; biotrickling filter; non-thermal plasma; dielectric barrier discharge; demister; bioaerosols; waste air treatment; VOC; sterilization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:21:p:9240-:d:441087

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