Biofiltration of Air: A Review

Abstract

In this paper we present a review of the existing air pollution control technologies (APCT), when used essentially for the elimination of volatile organic compounds (VOC). The biotechnologies referred to, bioscrubbers, biotrickling filters and biofilters, are also described. A more detailed review of biofiltration is proposed, presenting the most recent and latest developments achieved in the field of bioprocessing. In particular, the influence of the filter bed, the polluted air flowrates, the pollutants, the pressure drop, bed moisture content, temperature, nutrients, pH and the microorganisms are reviewed. Models of biofiltration are also presented.

KEYWORDS:

• biofiltration
• air treatment
• air pollution control
• biotechnologies
• volatile organic compounds

Notes

^aThe VOC-degrading enzymes are activated only in the presence of a primary substrate.

^bSome compounds, that are easier to degrade, or for example provide more reaction energy, are sometimes preferred by microorganisms.

^cReynolds number: Re = , with ρ : bed specific gravity, d_p: particles diameter, μ : dynamic air viscosity, u: air velocity.

^dTheir sources of carbon and energy are the organic compounds.

^ecfu: colony forming units.