ABSTRACT
The main aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of an aerobic biofilter packed with compost for the removal of gas-phase hydrogen sulfide (H2S). After 52â¯d of operation, the biofilter was re-packed by replacing a certain portion (25%, v/v) of the existing compost with biochar and its performance was tested. The steady and transient performance of the biofilter was evaluated by varying the H2S concentrations from 0.1 to 2.9â¯gâ¯m-3 at an empty bed residence time (EBRT) of 119 and 80â¯s, respectively. The maximum elimination capacity (ECmax) of the compost and compostâ¯+â¯biochar biofilter were â¼19 and 33â¯gâ¯m-3â¯h-1, respectively, with >99% removal efficiency at an EBRT of 119â¯s. The compost biofilter showed a quick response to shock loads and the critical load to the biofilter during the shock loading step was â¼81â¯gâ¯m-3â¯h-1.