ARS | Publication request: Assessment of Different Biofilter Media Particle Sizes for Ammonia Removal Optimization

Submitted to: ASABE Annual International Meeting
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: June 18, 2008
Publication Date: June 30, 2008
Citation: Sales, G.T., Day, G., Gates, R., Lovanh, N.C., Del Nero Maia, G., Singh, A. 2008. Assessment of Different Biofilter Media Particle Sizes for Ammonia Removal Optimization. ASABE Annual International Meeting.

Technical Abstract: The main objective of this study is to determine a range of particle sizes that provides low resistance to the air flow but also sufficient surface area for microbial attachment, which is needed for higher biofiltration efficiency. This will be done by assessing ammonia removal and pressure drop in a series of controlled experiments. Pressure drop along compost medium (particle size range: 1.30 mm – 4.75 mm) was measured as preliminary work to design the air distribution for three pilot scale biofilters in which ammonia removal and pressure drop will be monitored and determined for different particle sizes. Pressure drop as high as 6350 Pa.m-1 was found for air flux rate of 1461 m.h-1 and 65% wet-basis (s=0.32) of media moisture content, while pressure drop as low as 98.1 Pa.m-1 was found for air flux rate of 279 m.h-1 and 5.5% wet-basis (s=0.01) of media moisture content. Based on these results, a plenum was built to distribute static pressure evenly to the biofilters and a variable speed blower was selected.