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Biofiltration for treating VOCs: an overview

Reviews in Environmental Science and Bio/Technology volume 11, pages 231–241 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

In this paper we present a review of Biofiltration, one of the air pollution control technologies (APCT) used to treat volatile organic compounds (VOCs) effectively. It also talks about the history of biofiltration, and also proposes few ideas for the future developments in the biofiltration research pertaining to VOC control. Moreover, the paper also discusses about various important physical, chemical and biological factors which affect the performance of a biofilter both directly and indirectly. This paper will be handier for those who are new to the field of biofiltration research for VOC treatment.

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Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Notes

  1. Petrochemical industry, paint industry, pharmaceutical industry, wastewater treatment, meat processing etc.,

  2. A temperature change from 11 to 15.5 °C increased the RE from 92 to 100 %.

  3. pH between 6 and 9.

  4. Bed porosity also impacts the residence time and surface area available for mass transfer.

  5. Soil, compost, peat, wood bark etc.,

  6. Reactive carbon/reactive nitrogen.

  7. Activated sludge is usually added to the inert packing material used in biofilters.

  8. Varies with the type of pollutant to be degraded in a biofilter.

  9. Henry’s law coefficient of 0.26 and water solubility ranges 515–627 g m−3.

Abbreviations

Cg,in :

Inlet concentration of the pollutant gas (g m−3)

Cg,out :

Outlet concentration of the pollutant gas (g m−3)

Q:

Volumetric flow rate of the pollutant gas (m3 h−1)

V:

Biofilter bed volume (m3)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, 8041, New Zealand

    Swaminathan Detchanamurthy & Peter Alan Gostomski

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  1. Swaminathan Detchanamurthy
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  2. Peter Alan Gostomski
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Correspondence to Swaminathan Detchanamurthy.

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Detchanamurthy, S., Gostomski, P.A. Biofiltration for treating VOCs: an overview. Rev Environ Sci Biotechnol 11, 231–241 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11157-012-9288-5

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Keywords

  • Biofiltration
  • APCT
  • Air pollution
  • VOC