Biofiltration for Air Pollution Control

The number-one environmental threat to public health, air pollution remains a pressing problem-made even more complicated by the massive quantity and diversity of air pollution sources. Biofiltration technology (using micro-organisms growing on porous media) is being recognized as one of the most advantageous means to convert pollutants to harmless products. Done properly, biofiltration works at a reasonable cost-utilizing inexpensive components, without requiring fuel or generating hazardous by-products. Firmly established in Europe, this book offers the necessary knowledge to "do it right". TOC:Introduction.- Mechanisms of Biofiltration.- Biofilter Media.- Controlling Factors and Operation of Biofilters.- Microbial Ecology of Biofiltration.- Modeling Biofiltration.- Design of Biofilters.- Biofilter Startup and Monitoring.- Application of Biofilters.- Appendix A: Symbols.- Appendix B: Selected Elimination Capacity Values.- Appendix C: Conversion Factors.- Appendix D: Absolute Humidity of Air Saturated With Water.- Appendix E: Approximate Conversion of Selected Currencies.

IntroductionAir Pollution LegislationTypes of Waste Gas TreatmentHistorical Review of BiofiltrationBiofiltration MarketplaceBiofilter TerminologyAdditional Biofiltration ResourcesConclusionsMechanisms of BiofiltrationIntroductionGas TransferThe Water PhaseAdsorbed ContaminantsContaminant BiodegradationProduct GenerationHeat GenerationConclusionsBiofilter MediaIntroductionCriteria for the Choice of an Optimum Biofilter MediumMaterials Used for Biofilter MediaDescription of Selected Biofilter MediaControlling Factors and Operation of BiofiltersIntroductionWater ContentTemperatureMedium pH and AlkalinityNutrientsContaminant Load and Surface LoadOxygen LimitationAir Flow DirectionDust and GreaseExtreme BiofiltersMicrobial Ecology of BiofiltrationIntroductionMicrobial Species in BiofiltersSubstrate UtilizationThe Microbial Community'Biomass CloggingMicrobial Observation of BiofiltersConclusionsModeling BiofiltrationIntroductionThe Challenge of Modeling BiofiltrationBiofilm ModelsOttengraf's ModelDevinny and Hodge ModelShareefdeen et al. ModelShareefdeen and Baltzis Model With Patches of BiomassDeshusses et al. ModelQSAR ModelsChoi et al. ModelJohnson and Deshusses ModelGovind et al. ModelSummaryDesign of BiofiltersIntroductionExperimental Protocol for Assessing Biofilter TechnologyDesign of Full-Scale BiofiltersCosts and Economic ConsiderationConclusionsBiofilter Startup and MonitoringStartupMonitoringAir LoadContaminantsMedium CharacteristicsWater ContentTemperatureMedium PermeabilityBiological ActivityHumidifierStatistical AnalysisApplication of BiofiltersIntroductionThe ARA-Rhein Biofilter: Wastewater Treatment Odors and VOCsOdor Control from Flavor and Fragrance ManufacturingOdor Reduction from Flavor Manufacturing in a Closed Bed BiofilterThe Poughkeepsie Biofilter: Wastewater Treatment OdorsSoil Biofilter to Treat Odors from a Fabric Softener FacilitySmall Biofilters for Gasoline Vapor Treatment at a Soil-Vapor Extraction SiteTreatment of VOC Mixtures from Exhaust Air in the Wood IndustryControl of VOCs from Ink Drying OperationsRemoval of High Concentrations of Ethanol from a Foundry Off-GasLarge Open Bed Biofilters for the Removal of VOCs and OdorsHigh Concentration-Low Flow Biofilter for VOC TreatmentSoil Biofilter for VOC Removal in Flexographic Printing Off-GasesBiofilter or Biotrickling Filter? Example of an Intermittently Watered Biotrickling Filter for Odor ControlAppendix A: SymbolsAppendix B: Selected Elimination Capacity ValuesAppendix C: Conversion FactorsAppendix D: Absolute Humidity of Air Saturated With WaterAppendix E: Approximate Conversion of Selected Currencies

Joseph S. Devinny