Characteristics of low H 2 S concentration biogas desulfurization using a biotrickling filter: Performance and modeling analysis

This study investigated the characteristics of low H S concentration biogas biodesulfurization using a lab-scale biotrickling filter (BTF). The influence of operational parameters on H S removal efficiency and H S distributions in packed bed was evaluated by establishing a counter-current one-dimensional multi-layer BTF model and statistical analysis of the simulation results. The overall biodesulfurization efficiency of counter-current BTF on treating low H S concentration was 92.27 ± 10.30%. The H S distribution of the BTF packed bed could be predicted by the calibrated BTF model. The influence of the operational parameters on the H S distribution of the packed bed was following the sequence of pH > empty bed retention time (EBRT) > gas-to-liquid flow ratio (G/L). The biogas biodesulfurization process was strongly related to the sulphide affinity constant. Moreover, a high substrate concentration of the SOB could further accelerate the biodesulfurization process of the biogas with low H S concentration.