The Bacillus firmus was immobilized into Ca-alginate beads according to the different initial biomass concentration, calcification time and activation time. Three types of immobilized Bacillus firmus beads were packed respectively in trickling biofilter to purify xylene contained waste gases, and the performance of immobilized-cell biofilter was compared with traditional biofilm attached biofilter packed with two types of ceramic pellets. The results showed that three types of immobilized beads had different capabilities for removing xylene and life-spans. Higher initial biomass in immobilized beads resulted in better performance but shorter life-span. Activation process can remarkably enhance the activity of bacteria, and the removal efficiency of xylene can substantially be improved. Calcification time had influence on life-span of immobilized beads. Without acclimation, the cell-entrapped biofilter can obtain the maximum elimination capacity of 92.4 g/（m^3·h）. However, compared with biofilm attached biofilter, it has a poorer intrinsic drawback in volatile organic compounds （VOCs） removal due to the existence of excess mass transfer resistance.
A laboratory-scale trickling biofilter column, filled with Raschig rings and inoculated with Pseudomonas putida （ATCC 1785） was used to ＇purify chlorobenzene contained waste gases. Sodium dodecyl sulfonate （SDS） was used to enhance the performance of trickling biofilter. Purification performance of the trickling biofilter was examined for chiorobenzene inlet concentration of 1.20,-5.04 g/m^3 at different EBRTs between 76N153 s. Without SDS addition, with simultaneous increase in chlorobenzene inlet loading rate and gas flow rate, 100% removal efficiency was achieved at EBRT of 109 s and inlet loadings below 5120 mg/m^3. Addition of SDS to nutrient solution led to improvement of trickling biofilter purification performance. By introducing 25 mg/L SDS, the removal efficiency was increased by 21% and elimination capacity up to 234 g/（m^3.h） was achieved at chlorobenzene inlet loading of 241 g/（m^3.h）. Although SDS concentration experienced a low rate reduction after continuous nutrient solution recirculation, this result has period little influence on trickling biofilter＇s removal efficiency in monitoring period.
