Evaluation of mass transfer coefficients in biotrickling filters: Experimental determination and comparison to correlations

Overall mass transfer coefficients (KGa and KLa) were determined experimentally for four different-nature packing materials used in gas-phase biotrickling filters. A simple methodology based on overall mass balances and following a standard procedure allowed to calculate the mass transfer coefficients under different operating conditions corresponding to usual biotrickling filtration situations. Results showed an increase of mass transfer resistance when increasing the empty bed residence time (EBRT) of the reactor for all packing materials. Experimental results were fitted to existing and well-accepted correlations used in conventional biofilter or biotrickling filter modeling. The comparison of experimental and theoretical data showed huge discrepancies. Simple correlations for the experimental data obtained in this study were also suggested. © 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.