Removal of Aromatic Compounds by a Wet Packed-Bed Scrubber Filled with Waste Edible Oil

Background: The emission of aromatic compounds, particularly BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene), into the atmosphere poses significant environmental and health issues. Recognizing the limitations of traditional water-based scrubbing methods for hydrophobic compounds, this study aimed to determine the optimal conditions for absorbing BTEX compounds released during the frying process, using waste edible oil as an innovative absorbent in a packed scrubber system. Methods: The effects of operating parameters such as scrubber bed height, frequency of oil reuse, and pollutant contact time on the removal efficiency and absorption capacity of BTEX were investigated through laboratory-scale experiments and gas chromatography analysis. Results: The results showed that the removal efficiency of BTEX significantly improved with increased bed height from 64 to 98% for B, from 56 to 87% for T, from 36 to 59% for E, and from 58 to 89% for X. The results also showed a significant decrease in removal efficiency during absorption time. However, the removal efficiencies did not change significantly for all chemicals among the waste oils. The removal efficiency of B related to the use of oil ranged from 80 to 90%, from 63 to 87% for T, from 19 to 58% for E, and from 65 to 88% for X. Conclusion: This research demonstrates the potential of utilizing waste edible oils in packed scrubbers for effective BTEX removal, highlighting the importance of optimizing operational conditions for improved air pollution control. The findings contribute to the development of more sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions for mitigating VOCs.