Biotechniques for air pollution control: past, present and future trends

• Autores: Johan W. van Groenestijn
• Localización: Biotechniques for air pollution control: proceedings of the international congress Biotechniques for Air Pollution Control : A Coruña, Spain, October 5-7, 2005 / Christian Kennes (dir. congr.), María C. Veiga (dir. congr.), 2005, ISBN 84-9749-163-7, págs. 3-12
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Biofilters were first constructed in the nineteen fifties, but the application of biological waste gas treatment technologies first became popular in the nineteen eighties due to air pollution legislation. Simultaneously, R&D in this field boosted. In the last 15 years a range of new technologies was developed to extend the operational envelop of biological waste gas treatment and to solve operational problems. The author’s prediction is that the markets for biofilters, biotrickling filters and bioscrubbers will all grow, however, the relative share of bioscrubbers will decrease and that of biotrickling filters will increase. A trend is the use of biofilters that have properties in between biotrickling filters and biofilters (frequent water addition but not continuous, inert packing material, nutrient addition). More attention will be given to robustness and long term operational stability. The problem of filter clogging still needs a good solution, therefore R&D on this matter (although an old subject) is still justified. Another trend is the diversification of equipment for specific gas streams. Biofilters will not just be copied to treat new gas streams, but increasingly designed taylor made. Within 3 years, Asia will be the most important market.