G. Omrani
Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health,
Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 6446-14155, Tehran, Iran
M. Safa
Municipalities Organization, Ministry of the Interior Islamic Republic of Iran
L. Ghafghazy
National Research Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology,
P.O. Box 14155-6343, Tehran, Iran
ABSTRACT
This study presents the interim findings of a research project undertaken to develop an integrated NH3 control strategy. This is especially important for treating composing facility off-gases where significant concentrations of ammonia are often present. A closed-field biofilter with dimensions 1x1 m was evaluated for its effectiveness in treating gases emanating from aerobic compost pilot. Air samples were collected for the determination of ammonia using detector tubes method. Ammonia emission had a positive correlation with high temperatures and alkaline pH levels during the aerobic composting process. In this research two substrate were compared as a biofilter medial. The results showed that the bed No.1 (50% peat and soil, 33.3% compost, 16.7% sand) was able to reduce ammonia emissions by maximum 97-99%. The overall ammonia removal efficiencies for sampling locations in bed No. 2 (53.3% sawdust, 27.5% clay, 18.2% straw) is approximately 94%. It is less than compost and peat filter efficiency but this media can provide good performance under optimum conditions. The performance of the biofilter was the most sensitive to moisture content and microbial growth conditions such as pH, temperature, oxygen, adequate nutrients, absence of toxic compound and so on.
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How to cite this article
G. Omrani, M. Safa and L. Ghafghazy, 2004. Utilization of Biofilter for Ammonia Elimination in Composting Plant. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 7: 2009-2013.
DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2004.2009.2013
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=pjbs.2004.2009.2013
DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2004.2009.2013
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=pjbs.2004.2009.2013
REFERENCES
- Lau, A.K., M.P. Bruce and R.J. Chase, 1996. Evaluating the performance of biofilters for composting odor control. J. Environ. Sci. Health, 31: 2247-2273.
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