Selection of suitable packing material for biofiltration of toluene, m- and p-xylene vapors

A suitable packing material for biofiltration of monoaromatic solvent vapors was selected among various types of packing materials such as peat, bark chips, vermiculite, and Hydroballs. A previously isolated strain, Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes BTXO2, which could utilize toluene, m- and p-xylene as carbon and energy sources was used as a biofilter inoculum, Four glass biofilters (6 cm dia, x 60 cm) were individually packed with each of the packing materials and solvent vapors were passed through the columns. During three weeks of peat biofilter operation, average removal efficiencies of toluene, m- and p-xylene were 90.4%, 95.3%, and 82:1%, respectively. With the other packings, the efficiencies were in the range of 10.1 to 58.6% which were significantly lower than those of the peat biofilter. The peat biofilter was continually operated for approximately nine months and the biofilter sustained its degradation activity during the operation period with minimal maintenance, At steady state, average removal rates of toluene, m- and p-xylene vapors were estimated as 14.2, 5.5, and 8.1 g m(-3) packing h(-1) respectively.