Sistem biofilter mengandungi bahan organik yang dihuni oleh mikroorganisma,
yang akan memecahkan partikel udara busuk dan mengurangkan konsentrasi bau yang
mengalir keluar daripada sistem tersebut. Kajian ini dijalankan untuk mengenalpasti
reka bentuk dan spesifikasi operasi dua sistem biofilter di Pusat Rawatan Kumbahan
Jelutong yang terletak di Pulau Pinang. Penilaian kepada ciri-ciri bahan media
dijalankan kerana ia merupakan salah satu parameter penting untuk kebolehkesanan
sistem ini. Hampas kelapa sawit juga diuji sebagai bahan media alternatif kepada
bahan-bahan sedia ada yang telah digunakan sebelum ini di dalam sistem biofiltrasi.
Pengumpulan data dan sampel dilakukan di kedua-dua biofilter di Pusat Rawatan
Kumbahan Jelutong. Sampel udara busuk dan bahan media diambil untuk kajian
selanjutnya di makmal, sementara data seperti suhu media dan halalaju udara di inlet
diambil untuk tujuan pengiraan. Hampas kelapa sawit pula diambil dengan kebenaran
United Oil Palm Industries. Pelbagai ujikaji telah dijalankan untuk kedua-dua sampel
seperti kajian untuk kandungan air, kadar keliangan, ketumpatan, kadar penyerapan air,
pH dan kadar tekanan. Kadar pengurangan bau yang didapati daripada kedua-dua
biofilter dilihat lebih rendah daripada standard yang ada. Hal ini mungkin disebabkan
oleh parameter biofilter dan tahap penyelenggaraan system. Masa Empty Bed Contact
bagi kedua-dua biofilter adalah tinggi, menunjukkan hala laju udara yang mencukupi
melaui system. Ciri-ciri kulit kayu yang telah dikaji menujukkan nilai yang bagus.
Tetapi nilai ph agak tinggi daripda optimum. Hampas kelapa sawit mempunyai ciri-ciri
yang baik jika dibandingkan dengan kulit kayu, tetapi mempunyai kadar ketumpatan
yang tinggi. Melalui kajian ini, pegawai di pusat kumbahan dapat mengenalpasti
parameter penting biofilter di samping memperkenalkan bahan baru untuk penapis.
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A biofilter consists of micro-organisms populated container of organic material,
through which will break down malodour and reduce the odour concentration flowing
out from the system. The study was conducted to determine the design and operation
specification of two biofilters in Jelutong Sewerage Treatment Plant in Penang. The
evaluation of the biofilter media properties was also conducted as it is one of the prime
parameters for biofilter performance. Palm oil fibre was also tested for its suitability as
an alternative media for biofilter. Sample and data collection is obtained from the two
existing biofilters in the treatment plant. Waste gas samples and filter media samples
are collected for testing in laboratory while data such as temperature of filter media and
flowrate of waste gas inlet is taken at the site. Palm oil fibre was obtained by
permission of United Oil Palm Industries. Various tests were done for both media
samples. Some of the tests are for important parameter of biofilter performance such as
moisture content, porosity, bulk density, water holding capacity, pH and pressure drop.
The Odour Removal Efficiency of both biofilters are notably lower than standard
Odour Removal Efficiency of a biofilter. This condition can be affected by many
parameters of biofilter performance and also maintence. The Empty Bed Contact Time
for both biofilters are high which shows that sufficient flowrate passes through the
sysem. The biofilter media properties are acceptable for the two biofilters. However,
the pH is relatively high than the optimum pH which is near to neutral pH. The
temperature of the biofilter remains constant within acceptable range throughout data
collection. The palm oil fibre show better result in many physical parameters compared
to wood chips. Though, the density is quiet low, making it prone to compaction. This
research will help the engineers to determine the important parameters to consider for
design and to open up new opportunity to introduce new type of filter media.
Evaluation of biofilter system for odour control in sewage treatment plant / Amalina Nabilah Rahmat