• KSBB Journal
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.603-608
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• 2001

In this study, we studied on the remeval of toluene vapors in a lab-scale biofilter. Biofiltration was performed in a column fed downflow with contaminated air at ambient conditions. The column was packed with mixture of Peat and Calstene(5:3 vol. Ratio), Synthesized media, Bark and Wood chip, which were inoculated with microbial population of selected stains(Pseudomonas. putida, KCCM 11343, ATCC 12633). The microorganisms were immobilized on the bed medium and then biofilm were formed. The biofilter was operated under the conditions of various inlet toluene concentrations for 180 days and treated up to the elimination capacity of maximum 40 g/㎥hr at the inlet load of 30 g/㎥ hr with percentage removals of 20∼90% and gas retention times between 1 and 2 min. The pressure drop was very negligible through the biofilter columps because its value of 0.054 cmH$_2$O/m was much less than others. The effect of operating conditions such as flow rate, inlet toluene concentration and moisture contents on the performance of the biofilter was sequentially investigated in this study.