Mathematical Model Development for Biofiltration of Hexane at Different Working Temperatures

Fungal biofiltration is an efficient way for treating hydrophobic compounds. Although temperature is a key factor in this process, due to complexity, biofiltration modeling based on temperature effect in biodegradation kinetics has been rarely considered. Therefore, in this contribution, a mathematical model which takes into account dispersion in gas phase, diffusion in biofilm and temperature effect in kinetic and other physical properties has been presented. Model was calibrated and validated by using previous reported experimental research in which effects of temperature, intermittent and continuous loading on biodegradation of hexane vapor were investigated. Model prediction results revealed that zero order kinetic fitted intermittent loading data in temperature range of 30-35 °C and continuous loading in temperature range of 35-45 °C.