This research was investigated the applicability of the biofiltration technology for the removal of volatile organic carbons (VOCs) produced from the bioremediation of oil contaminated soil. Diesel was used as surrogate for oil and, two types of biofilter systems made of ceramic and polymer media were compared for the removal efficiencies of diesel VOCs at different inlet concentrations and space velocity (SV) conditions. During the first 30-d operation, the removal efficiencies of the biofilter packed with polymer and the biofilter packed with ceramic were investigated at constant SV of $153\;h^{-1}$ When inlet concentrations of diesel VOCs were below 10 ppmv, the average removal efficiencies of the polymer biofilter and the ceramic biofilter were average $67\%\;and\;75\%$, respectively. When the inlet concentration increased to 30 ppmv, the VOC removal efficiency in the polymer biofilter was $80\%$, while the average removal efficiency in the ceramic biofilter was $60\%. Effect of the inlet concentration and SV on the removal efficiency of total diesel VOCs was investigated. As SV increased from $153\;h^{-1}$ to $204\;h^{-1}$ and $306\;h^{-1}$, the removal efficiency of total diesel VOCs was decreased gradually. The average removal efficiency of the biofilter packed with polymer carrier was decreased from $82\%\;to\;80\%\;and\;77\%$. The biofilter packed with polymer carrier showed that the removal efficiency of benzene and toluene were maintained within the range of $81\%\~86\%$. In contrast, for the biofilter packed with ceramic carrier, when SV increased from $153\;h^{-1}$ to $204\;h^{-1}$ and $306\;h^{-1}$, the removal efficiency of benzene decreased from $87\%\;to79\%\;and\;74\% . respectively. The removal efficiency of toluene decreased from $80\%\;to\;77\%\;and\;76\%$ at SV of $153\;h^{-1},\;204\;h^{-1}\;and\;306\;h^{-1}$, and $306\;h^{-1}$, respectively.

유류로 오염된 토양의 생물학적 복원에서 휘발성 유기화합물(VOCs)을 제거하기 위한 biofilter의 적용 가능성에 대하여 알아보았다 대표 오염물질로 diesel을 선정한 후 총 86일 동안 ceramic과 polymer,이 두 종류의 담체를 사용하여 SV(공간속도)와 유량, 입구농도 등을 조사하여 최적의 운전조건을 찾고자하였다. 운전초기 30일간 SV를 $153\;h^{-1}$ 고정하여 입구농도를 증가시키며 ceramic 및 polymer biofilter의 제거효율 변화에 대하여 알아보았다. Ceramic 및 polymer 담체에서는 총 VOCs의 입구농도가 10 ppmv 이하일 때 각각 평균 $67\%$ 및 $15\%$의 제거효율을 보였으나, 입구농도를 30 ppmv까지 증가시켰을 때 ceramic 담체는 제거 효율이 $60\%$까지 저하되었고, polymer 담체의 경우 $80\%$의 제거효율을 보였다. 또한, Diesel VOCs의 입구농도와 공간 속도의 증가에 따른 총 VOCs의 제거효율에 미치는 영향을 알아보았다. 공간속도가 $153\;h^{-1}$에서 $204\;h^{-1}$와 $306\;h^{-1}$로 증가함에 따라 총 VOCs의 제거 효율은 점차적으로 감소하여 polymer 담체의 경우 평균 제거효율이 $82\%$에서 $80\%,\;77\%$로 약 $5\%$ 감소함을 관찰하였다. Polymer 담체에서는 공간속도의 증가에도 불구하고 benzene과 toluene모두 약 $81\~86\%$의 영역에서 일정한 제거효율을 보이는 것으로 나타났다. 반면, ceramic 담체에서 benzene의 경우 공간속도 $153\;h^{-1}$에서 평균 $87\%$의 제거효율을 보였고, 공간속도가 $204\;h^{-1}$에서 $306\;h^{-1}$로 증가함에 따라 $79\%$에서 $74\%$로 약 $5\%$가 감소하였다. Toluene의 제거효율은 공간속도의 증가에 따라 $80\%$에서 $76\%$로 $4\%$ 감소하였다.

Keywords: Biofilter;Diesel VOCs;Oil contaminated soil;