Removal of Hydrogen Sulfide in Biogas From Wastewater Treatment Sludge by Real Scale Biotrickling Filtration Desulfurization Process

Abstract High sulfur content in excess sludge impacts the production of biomethane during anaerobic digestion, mean-while leads to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) formation in biogas. This study aims to reveal the efficiency of the real-scale Biotrickling Filtration Process (BTF) in the removal of H2S in the biogas formed in the anaerobic digester. The biogas was produced by stabilization of the treatment sludges formed in the processes of Urban Wastewater Treatment Plant with mesophilic anaerobic sludge digesters. It was determined that the anaerobic stabilization unit of the treatment plant was operated efficiently and the biogas with a high flow (18,123-21,383 m3/day) was formed during the operation of the plant. The H2S concentration in the biogas at the inlet of the BTF was 3,632 ppmv on average (2,900-4,400 ppmv) and 16 ppmv at the outlet. The elimination capacity of the system reached a maximum of 52.71 gH2S m-3h-1. As a result, a real scale BTF unit was found to provide a sufficient removal efficiency (97.84-99.90%) for H2S in the biogas.