Abstract

The simultaneous removal of H 2S and NH 3 was investigated using two biotrickling filters packed with polyurethane foam cubes. One biotrickling filter was inoculated with Thiobacillus thioparus ATCC 23645 for the removal of H 2S (BTT) and the other filter with Nitrosomonas europaea ATCC 19718 for the removal of NH 3 (BNE). Three different configurations were studied by modification of the gas line and recirculation medium line. The best results were obtained with the BNE biotrickling filter after the co-immobilization of the two bacteria. A removal efficiency of 100% for 230 ppmv of NH 3 and 129 ppmv of H 2S was reached at an EBRT of 60 seconds. The results obtained show that it is possible to co-immobilize both microorganisms using the same recirculation medium and remove successfully H 2S and NH 3 from a gas mixture. © IWA publishing 2009.