Vapor-phase biofilters make bid for VOC control in industrial applications
- Bio-Reaction Industries Inc., Tualatin, OR (United States)
Biofiltration of contaminated air streams containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is a relatively new application of biotechnology in the waste management industry. The primary stimulus for development of vapor-phase biofiltration in Europe is its capability for efficient and reliable VOC destruction without forming hazardous by-products, coupled with low operating and life-cycle costs compared to conventional physical-chemical alternatives. The filters operate by passing the contaminated air stream through a bed of compost, peat, soil or other permeate material, which acts as an attachment site for rich microbial fauna. After the VOCs have been sorbed from the air stream while passing through the bed, the microorganisms use the sorbed organics as a food source, converting the pollutant into carbon dioxide and water vapor. As the organic pollutant is metabolized, the binding site to which it was attached again becomes available to strip additional VOC molecules from the incoming air stream. Thus, the biofilters reach a steady state, and sorption and biological destruction is followed by re-sorption of fresh volatile pollutants. Under proper conditions, this sequence of reactions occurs quite rapidly.
- OSTI ID:
- 379659
- Journal Information:
- Environmental Solutions, Vol. 9, Issue 8; Other Information: PBD: Sep 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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