Mass transfer analysis in dual continuum models for biofiltration of volatile organic compounds (VOC’s)

SUMMARY

The present work explores and discusses the derivation and application of a generic mathematical model (Multiple Continuum Interacting Model, MCIM) in the prediction of the effectiveness dynamics for a trickling biofilter treating toluene. A computational solution strategy is presented, including the proper validation study case. Then, numerical studies for dimensionless Péclet and Sherwood numbers (Pe and Sh) are discussed; the effect of these over the efficiency biofilter behavior is shown. For Two Interacting Continuum phases (TIC), three sophistication levels are compared, concluding that the growth phenomenon (including the inoculation process) is crucial for designing and modelling of biofiltrations systems by MIMC’s. Achieving with MDC 2 an ER< 8% being the approach that comes closest to the experimental data reported in literature.