Treatment of Gases Contaminated with Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) by Biofilters Packed with Municipal Solid Waste (Msw) - Pruning Residues (P) Composts: Performance Assessment

The abatement of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) commonly emitted during co-composting of municipal solid waste (MSW) was studied using a biofiltration system. MSW or MSW mixed with pruning residues (MSW-P) were used as packing materials. The monitoring of the system under transient state conditions was carried out using a photoionization analyser, an e-nose, and GC/MS. MEK removal efficiencies greater than 90% were obtained. An acclimatization period of 14 days was required for both biofilters studied. The hydrophilic nature of the contaminant (MEK) and the moisture content of the beds influenced the treatment process of the contaminant by biofiltration. The optimal range of moisture content for the packing materials used was between 21.5 % and 67.5 % (d.w) (MSW biofilter) and between 25.7 % and 91.8 % (d.w) (MSW-P biofilter). E-nose and GC/MS data indicate a complete degradation of MEK, although the e-nose did detect background emissions, characteristic of each type of biofilter. It was possible to obtain information about the performance of the biofiltration system at different stages of the experiment and results suggest that e-nose analysis could become a more powerful tool for monitoring volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in biofiltration and composting in the future.

International Centre for Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems (SDEWES)

Peer Reviewed