Biofiltration systems for the treatment of waste gas from industrial plants

[Abstract] Bord na Móna Environmental Ltd. has gained valuable experience over the years with the installation of over 500 biofilters, primarily in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants, food processing and more recently printing and coating applications. As a result, this paper will deal with the routes of successful biological air treatment and the pitfalls to avoid. Since the mid 1990s Bord na Móna have concentrated their efforts on process development for VOC and industrial applications. New applications include treatment of airstream containing high concentration of H2S, ammonia, VOC or indeed a combination of all three. The paper will cover new developments and new applications notably in solid waste composting plants, and in industrial applications. Success in biofiltration will be shown to be closely linked with in-depth analytical process engineering, accurate characterisation of waste gas streams, control of process conditions for optimisation of biological activity, and the physio-chemical properties of the filter media. Particular attention will be given to the successful application of biofilters for extremely high concentrations of sulphur compounds, up to 5000mg/m3, and the increasing use of biofilters for VOC elimination