Evaluation of industrial biotrickling filter at the flexographic printing facility

Abstract

Abstract While biofiltration and bioscrubbing have already established themselves as standard methods of volatile organic compound (VOC) and odor control, trickling bed biofilter applications are mainly confined to laboratory studies, with only a few installed systems reported in industrial operation. An example of successful industrial biotrickling filter application, controlling highly variable loads of water soluble VOCs at a flexographic printing facility, is presented. The biotrickling filter operates at 14 s contact time and removes on average 7 kg of mixed water‐soluble solvents per hour (280 g per m 3 of carrier per hour). The plant is fully compliant with the EC Council Directive 1999/13/EC on the limitation of emissions of VOCs. The operating costs of a biotrickling filter are discussed. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 23: 39–44, 2004