An Integrated Theory for Suspended-Growth Bioscrubbers

Abstract

An integrated theory is developed to describe the steadystate operation of a suspended-growth bioscrubber for the control of biodegradable, volatile organic gases. The bioscrubber consists of an N-stage absorber and an oxidation reactor. A biomass slurry is circulated between the absorber and the oxidation reactor, t he pollutant is absorbed and partially oxidized in the absorber. Oxidation is completed in the oxidation reactor. Predictions of the theory show that the removal efficiency is a function of Henry's Law constant for the pollutant, the ratio of the liquid flow rate to the gas flow rate, and the number of stages. Since high efficiencies can be achieved for soluble, biodegradable, volatile organic compounds, such systems have the potential to be a low-cost control method.