Biotreatment of ammonia from air by an immobilized Arthrobacter oxydans CH8 biofilter

A heterotrophic Arthrobacter oxydans CH8 that was capable of removing NH3 from NH3 containing gas was isolated from livestock farming wastewater. The A. oxydans CH8 was immobilized with calcium alginate packed into filter column. Metered NH3-containing gas was partially humidified and passed through the glass column. Extensive tests including the removal characteristics, the removal efficiencies, and the metabolic products of NH3 by A. oxydans CH8 were conducted. Additionally, the operation criteria for the biofilter was also established. NH3 removal capacities were elevated by the immobilized-cell (biological conversion) method and the BDST (bed depth service time) method (physical adsorption), respectively. The optimum temperature for removing NH3 was 30 degrees C, while the nitrification ability remained 80% at 40 degrees C. The high efficiency (>97%) in the removal of NH3 was attained at 36 L/h with pH control and was not decreased because of high NH3 inlet concentration. In addition, the high maximum removal rate (1.22 g of N/day.(kg of bead)) enhanced the use of the biofilter in industrial-scale NH3(g) pollution control. The ability to remove NH3 at high inlet concentration and temperature suggested that the immobilized A. oxydans CH8 biofilter has potential in processing NH3 gas.