A statistical perspective on biofilter performance in relation to the main process parameters and characteristics of untreated flows

Abstract

[Abstract] A large number of olfactometric measurements of odour removal efficiency of municipal waste organic fraction and green waste composting installations were compiled and analysed graphically. The number of measurements and installations is >50 for treated gas characteristics and >15 for filter media characteristics. All installations concerned were located in the Netherlands and Belgium. All untreated and treated gas odour concentrations were measured in duplicate or triplicate, according to olfactometry standard EN13725 or its predecessor NVN2820. The data were then analysed using graphical methods to identify trends and relation between effectiveness of performance and a large number of operational parameters and characteristics, including: • Area flow loading (m3·m-2 filter area·hour-1) • Contact time • Temperature of untreated flow • Odour concentration of untreated flow • Ammonia concentration of untreated flow • Dry matter content of filter media • pH of filter media