Biological treatment of airstreams contaminated with VOCs: an overview

Biological treatment of contaminated airstreams is a technology which has been used successfully in Germany and The Netherlands for twenty years. The technology can be utilized in a wide array of industries to treat numerous volatile chemicals. There are three categories of air phase bioreactors: biofilters, biotrickling filters, and bioscrubbers. Addition of nutrients and buffer capacity may be required. Many different types of support media can be used. Currently, design of airphase bioreactors is based upon guidelines, pilot studies, and experience gained from similar applications.