This research explores using recycled by-products from wastewater treatment plants as packing materials in biotrickling filters (BTFs) for odour removal.
Three materials-commercial Pall rings, recycled plastic bottle caps, and 3D-printed extruded recycled plastic carriers-were tested for treating gases containing H₂S, NH₃, and VOCs. Results showed 100% removal of H₂S and NH₃ at gas residence times up to 6 seconds, and over 90% VOC removal at longer residence times. The 3D-printed recycled plastic carrier achieved the best performance, including complete removal of toluene and α-pinene. The study confirms that recycled plastics from the water cycle can be effective, sustainable packing materials for BTFs in odour treatment..
S. Sáez-Orviz a-b, R. Lebrero a-b, L. Terrén c, S. Doñate c, M.D. Esclapez c, L. Saúco c, R. Muñoz a-b*
a Instituto de Procesos Sostenibles (ISP), Universidad de Valladolid, Mergelina s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain.
b Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, School of Industrial Engineering, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina, s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain.
b Depuración de Aguas del Mediterráneo (DAM), Av. Benjamín Franklin, 21, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain.
Competing interests: The author has declared that no competing interests exist.
Academic editor: Carlos N. Díaz.
Content quality: This paper has not been peer-reviewed.
Citation: S. Sáez-Orviz, R. Lebrero, L. Terrén, S. Doñate, M.D. Esclapez, L. Saúco, R. Muñoz, 2024, Biofiltration of Odor Emissions in WWTPs through the Reuse of Subproducts from the Integral Water Cycle, ODORA24 Conference, Barakaldo, Spain, www.olores.org.
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Keywords: biotrickling filter, gas biofiltration, odour treatment, recycled plastic packaging materials, wastewater treatment plant.
Abstract
Emissions from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) include various chemical compounds like H2S, NH3, and VOCs, which lead to unpleasant odours and have health risks. Biological technologies, such as biotrickling filters (BTFs) and biofilters (BFs), are preferred for their treatment for their cost-effectiveness and eco-friendliness. However, choosing appropriate packaging materials for these bioreactors is essential due to their cost and frequent replacement, impacting the process’s sustainability. This research aims to develop and validate by-products from the WWTPs as packing materials for BTFs and to evaluate their performance at different gas residence times (TRG). The experimental set-up included three BTFs (2 L), testing three different packaging materials: commercial Pall rings, recycled plastic (bottle caps) and extruded recycled plastic materials in the form of an optimised carrier manufactured via 3D printing. Gaseous streams simulating pollutant concentrations of a Spanish WWTP were treated, and the removal efficiency (RE) was assessed at different TRGs. The results showed 100% RE of H2S and NH3 at TRGs up to 6 s, and VOCs removal above 90% at TRGs of 30 and 15 s. The best performance was obtained with the extruded recycled plastic materials in the form of optimised commercial carrier as packing material, achieving 100% RE of toluene and α-pinene at TRGs of 30 and 15 s. The bacterial population was varied, but in the three BTF the genera Thiobacillus was found. This research confirmed the potential of reused and recycled plastics from the integral water cycle as a packing material in BTFs devoted to odour treatment.
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