Two-stage hybrid biofiltration

A hybrid filter system for degrading a sulfur-containing compound having a primary stage sacrificial filter and a secondary stage biofilter is disclosed. This hybrid filter system significantly increases the lifetime of the biofilter providing a cost effective and removal effective biofiltration filter system. The process consists of two filtration stages, a primary stage sacrificial filtration and a secondary stage biofiltration. A small percentage of the sulfur-containing compound is oxidized to elemental sulfur which blocks the pore space of the filter matrix. The primary stage sacrificial filter is used to trap and remove elemental sulfur which is produced when the sulfur-containing compound is passed through the filter. To protect the secondary stage biofilter from premature plugging by precipitated elemental sulfur the primary stage sacrificial filter is used to capture the precipitated elemental sulfur. It is then sacrificed on a regular basis to minimize the impact of the elemental sulfur on the secondary stage biofilter.