Jaeyoung Park

The mechanism of hydrogen sulfide adsorption on fine rubber particle media (FRPM).

A commercial rubber waste product, fine rubber particle media (FRPM), was found to adsorb hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) at 0.12 mg H₂S/g FRPM of adsorption capacity. Since FRPM seems to be an attractive alternative to treat H₂S owing to its economic advantages as well as its physicochemical characteristics, several analyses were conducted to investigate fundamental information, surface properties, and breakthrough characteristics of FRPM as adsorbent. The physical properties of FRPM including composition and surface chemistry were investigated to compare its performance with commonly available commercial H₂S adsorbents such as activated carbon and assess the possible adsorption mechanism. The specific surface area of FRPM was less than 1% of activated carbon. FRPM does not have enough surface area supporting a pure physical adsorption of H₂S because it is particulate in nature with limited porosity. The adsorption of FRPM to remove H₂S was complex mechanism and involved a combination of zinc compounds and carbon black.

Septic wastewater treatment using recycled rubber particles as biofiltration media

Performance of the laboratory-scale recycled rubber particles (RRP) biofilter was compared to a conventional gravel system and a peat biofilter for treatment of septic tank effluent. During the study, the RRP biofilter provided similar or better performance than other systems in terms of organic removal and hydraulic capacity. After the start-up period, RRP biofilter achieved removal efficiencies for BOD5, total suspended solids (TSS), ammonia nitrogen of 96%, 93%, and 90%, respectively, over the range of hydraulic loading rates of 57–204 L/m2/d. On the other hand, the peat biofilter failed hydraulically and the gravel system showed high TSS concentrations in the effluent. RRP provided high surface area and sufficient time for biological treatment. In addition, RRP was observed to provide ammonia adsorption capacity. The results showed that RRP has the potential to be used as substitutes for natural aggregate such as gravel in septic system drainfields. The RRP biofilter can be used as alternative septic systems for the sites where an existing septic system has failed or site conditions, such as high groundwater table or small lot size, are not suitable for the installation of conventional septic systems.

Characterization of recycled rubber media for hydrogen sulphide (H2S) control.

Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) adsorption capacities on recycled rubber media, tyre-derived rubber particle (TDRP™), and other rubber material (ORM™) have been evaluated. As part of the research, densities, moisture contents, and surface properties of TDRP™ and ORM™ have been determined. The research team findings show that TDRP™ and ORM™ are more particulate in nature and not highly porous-like activated carbon. The characteristics of surface area, pore size, and moisture content support chemisorption on the macrosurface rather than physical adsorption in micropores. For example, moisture content is essential for H2S adsorption on ORM™, and an increase in moisture content results in an increase in adsorption capacity.