Skip to main content
Journal cover image

Literature review of air pollution control biofilters and biotrickling filters for odor and volatile organic compound removal

Publication ,  Journal Article
Iranpour, R; Cox, HHJ; Deshusses, MA; Schroeder, ED
Published in: Environmental Progress
October 1, 2005

A literature study was conducted to compare the feasibility of biofilters and biotrickling filters for the treatment of complex odorous waste air containing hydrogen sulfide (H 2S), organic reduced sulfur compounds, and chlorinated and nonchlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOCs). About 40 pilot-plant studies and full-scale applications at wastewater treatment plants and other facilities were reviewed. Reactor design and pollutant removal efficiencies were summarized in tables for easy reference and for a perspective on the current state of the art, and to allow comparison between different projects. The survey indicated that both biofilters and biotrickling filters are capable of combining a high H 2S and odor removal efficiency with VOC removal. Apart from odor abatement, biological treatment therefore holds promise for reducing the overall toxicity and potential carcinogenicity of VOC-containing odorous waste air from wastewater treatment plants and other facilities. VOC removal efficiencies were in general lower than those of H 2S and odor, although concentrations of individual VOC species were relatively low. This indicates that for effective treatment of VOC-containing odorous waste air, the design and operation should emphasize VOC removal as the rate-limiting parameter. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Duke Scholars

Altmetric Attention Stats
Dimensions Citation Stats

Published In

Environmental Progress

DOI

ISSN

0278-4491

Publication Date

October 1, 2005

Volume

24

Issue

3

Start / End Page

254 / 267

Related Subject Headings

  • Environmental Sciences
  • 34 Chemical sciences
  • 31 Biological sciences
  • 06 Biological Sciences
  • 03 Chemical Sciences
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Iranpour, R., Cox, H. H. J., Deshusses, M. A., & Schroeder, E. D. (2005). Literature review of air pollution control biofilters and biotrickling filters for odor and volatile organic compound removal. Environmental Progress, 24(3), 254–267. https://doi.org/10.1002/ep.10077
Iranpour, R., H. H. J. Cox, M. A. Deshusses, and E. D. Schroeder. “Literature review of air pollution control biofilters and biotrickling filters for odor and volatile organic compound removal.” Environmental Progress 24, no. 3 (October 1, 2005): 254–67. https://doi.org/10.1002/ep.10077.
Iranpour R, Cox HHJ, Deshusses MA, Schroeder ED. Literature review of air pollution control biofilters and biotrickling filters for odor and volatile organic compound removal. Environmental Progress. 2005 Oct 1;24(3):254–67.
Iranpour, R., et al. “Literature review of air pollution control biofilters and biotrickling filters for odor and volatile organic compound removal.” Environmental Progress, vol. 24, no. 3, Oct. 2005, pp. 254–67. Scopus, doi:10.1002/ep.10077.
Iranpour R, Cox HHJ, Deshusses MA, Schroeder ED. Literature review of air pollution control biofilters and biotrickling filters for odor and volatile organic compound removal. Environmental Progress. 2005 Oct 1;24(3):254–267.
Journal cover image

Published In

Environmental Progress

DOI

ISSN

0278-4491

Publication Date

October 1, 2005

Volume

24

Issue

3

Start / End Page

254 / 267

Related Subject Headings

  • Environmental Sciences
  • 34 Chemical sciences
  • 31 Biological sciences
  • 06 Biological Sciences
  • 03 Chemical Sciences