Biofiltration of TCE vapours in a mixed compost-inert carrier trickle bed

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a common air pollutant particularly stiff to be biodegraded. TCE removal has been here exploited using a pilot-scale biotrickling filter in countercurrent conditions filled with a mixed compost-inert carrier bed. Bioreactor operated for about five months obtaining a maximum elimination capacity of about 5.6 g/(m3h) and a removal efficiency between 50 and 85%. Pressure drop and pH inside the bed remained constant and did not affect bioreactor performance during the whole experiment. Using both organic and inert carrier likely reduced the compaction of the bed and limited the pH drop inside the reactor. Data of elimination capacity were fitted using an original Ottengraf-modified model for steady state conditions.