Coupling composting and biofiltration for ammonia and volatile organic compound removal

The efficiency of a compost biofilter for the simultaneous removal of ammonia and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from exhaust gases of the composting process of different organic wastes (source-selected organic fraction of municipal solid wastes and animal by-products) is studied. An average ammonia removal efficiency of 94.7% was obtained in the biofilter for an average loading rate range of 846–to 67100 mg [NH3] m−3 biofilter h−1. However, a sharp reduction in NH3 removal was observed when the waste gas contained a high, more than 2000 mg m−3, NH3 concentration. The maximum VOC removal efficiency was 82% when the biofilter worked at a loading rate range of 0.55–28.8 g [C] m−3 biofilter h−1.