Enhancing the environmental performance of biotrickling filters treating volatile organic compounds in air

Abstract

The actual biotrickling filtration technology addresses volatile organic compounds (VOCs) removal from air, by their conversion into less harmful gaseous compounds (e.g. carbon dioxide). The actual study extends this capability towards not only VOCs removal, but also removal of carbon dioxide issued from biodegradation, in the same biotrickling filter (BTF). This upgrade results in higher C-capture and the reduction of greenhouses gases associated with this process, thus increasing the environmental performance of such BTFs. The model pollutant used in this study is ethanol, while a co-immobilised microalgae and compost-derived microorganisms is used for the first time accomplishing the above mentioned desiderate (simultaneously removal of VOC and carbon dioxide in the same BTF), under continuous regime and illumination provided by an array of light-emitting diodes (LED)). Very promising performances are obtained, revealing new competitive alternatives with high potential for further development, in the light of atmospheric protection and climate change issues.