Biofiltration: An innovative air pollution control technology for VOC emissions

Journal Article · Thu Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991 · Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/10473289.1991.10466898· OSTI ID:5116900

Leson, G ^[1]; Winer, A M ^[2]

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1. RMT, Inc., Santa Monica, CA (United States)
2. Univ. of California, Los Angeles (United States)

Biofiltration is a relatively recent air pollution control (APC) technology in which off-gases containing biodegradable volatile organic compounds (VOC) or inorganic air toxics are vented through a biologically active material. This technology has been successfully applied in Germany and The Netherlands in many full-scale applications to control odors, VOC and air toxic emissions from a wide range of industrial and public sector sources. Control efficiencies of more than 90 percent have been achieved for many common air pollutants. Due to lower operating costs, biofiltration can provide significant economic advantages over other APC technologies if applied to off-gases that contain readily biodegradable pollutants in low concentrations. Environmental benefits include low energy requirements and the avoidance of cross media transfer of pollutants. This paper reviews the history and current status of biofiltration, outlines its underlying scientific and engineering principles, and discusses the applicability of biofilters for a wide range of specific emission sources.

• OSTI ID: 5116900
• Journal Information: Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association; (United States) Vol. 41:8; ISSN JAWAE; ISSN 1047-3289
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
BIODEGRADATION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CONTROL
COST
DECOMPOSITION
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
FILTRATION
MATERIALS
MICROORGANISMS
OPERATING COST
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLLUTANTS
POLLUTION CONTROL
SEPARATION PROCESSES
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
TOXIC MATERIALS
USES