Biofiltration
is the removal and oxidation of organic gases (volatile organic compounds, or VOCs) from contaminated air by beds of compost or soil (biofilter media). Billions of indigenous microorganisms inherent within the biofilter media convert the organic compounds to carbon dioxide and water. These naturally occurring microorganisms consume the offending compounds in a safe, moist, oxygen-rich environment.
A biofilter
is an engineered bed of soil or compost under which lies a distribution system of perforated pipe and a layer of coarse distribution media. Contaminated air is
blown into the perforated pipes and slowly diffuses up through the biofilter media. The contaminant molecules flow through the biofilter media like pebbles in a stream,
until they settle out and are consumed by the microorganisms. These same microorganisms are responsible for the degradation of organics in nature. The biofilter media retains no residue from the original
organic compounds found in the contaminated air stream. This is due to the extremely efficient microbial ecosystem that exists within the biofilter media. Enhancing and
maintaining this rich microbial ecosystem is what biofiltration is all about. The choice of biofilter media is the key. |
