Removal of volatile sulfur compounds by solar advanced oxidation technologies and bioprocesses

Abstract

The degradations of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) by advanced oxidation technology, solar advanced oxidation technology, biological treatment, and the combination of solar advanced oxidation technology and biological treatment were studied in a pilot plant. Three volatile sulfur compounds (methanethiol (MeSH), dimethyl sulfide (Me2S), and hydrogen disulfide (H2S) were selected as model compounds. Solar advanced oxidation technologies (AOTs) processes eliminate more than 65% of VSCs at high residence time. VSCs were completely oxidized in less than 6.0 min by solar AOTs and ozone. Significant VSCs elimination levels were achieved by solar advanced oxidation in combination with biological treatment. Total VSCs removal efficiencies of up to 87.2% and 91.2% for MeSH and Me2S respectively were achieved in combined processes at initial concentrations of 100 mg m-3, with HRTsolar of 10 min and HRTbio of 105 s. The results obtained from the combined processes (solar AOTs and bioprocess) confirm the suitability of solar AOTs as pre-treatment for the removal of VSCs.