Startup and long-term performance of biotrickling filters packed with polyurethane foam and poplar wood chips treating a mixture of

Implications: We provide new insights in the use of organic packing materials in biotrickling filters for the treatment of H 2S, NH 3, and mercaptans and compare them with polyurethane foam, a packing commonly used in biotrickling filters. We found interesting features related with the startup of the reactors and parameterized both the performance under steady-state conditions and the influence of the gas contact time. We provide relevant conclusions in the profitability of organic packing materials under a biotrickling filter configuration, which is infrequent but proven reliable from our research results. The report is useful to designers and users of this technology.