Biofiltration of toluene vapors using a model support

Vermiculite was used as biofiltration model support to study the degradation of toluene vapors. Thermal Gravimetric Analysis, cell respirometry, microcosms tests and qualitative data from Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were used to estimate all the parameters (biofilm surface area, biofilm thickness, active and total biofilm density and maintenance coefficient) involved in a steady state biofiltration model. A global error of 9.7% between experimental data and the mathematical model for three different Empty Bed Residence Time (EBRT) was obtained.