Abstract: The use of a biotrickling filter was investigated for a pilot field-scale elimination of NH₃ gas and other odorous gases from a composting plant in Tongzhou District, Beijing. The inlet gas flow rate was 3500 m³/h and NH₃ concentration fluctuated between 2.76–27.84 mg/m³, while the average outlet concentration was 1.06 mg/m³ with an average of 94.9% removal. Critical volumetric loading (removal efficiency=100%) was 11.22 g-N/(m³·h). The odor concentration removal was 86.7%. NH₃ removal efficiency decreased as the free ammonia (FA) in the trickling liquid increased. The pressure drop was maintained at about 50 Pa/m and was never more than 55 Pa/m. During the experiment, there was neither backflushing required nor any indication of clogging. Overall, the biotrickling filter was highly efficient and cost-effective for the simultaneous biodegradation of NH₃ and other odorous gases from composting, suggesting the possibility of treating odorous gases at the industrial level.

Key words: Ammonia, Biotrickling filter, Odor, Organic waste composting, Pilot field-scale study, Trickling liquid

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