AIChE Publishes Special Biofiltration Edition of Environmental Progress

New York— For decades, biofiltration has been a successful air treatment technology, used around the world to control odors and reduce airborne emissions. Because of its proven track record in these applications, many industries are now seeking new ways to channel this technology. Unfortunately, the design knowledge needed to adapt biofiltration systems for new uses, particularly for full-scale operations, has been lacking. The Fall 1999 issue of Environmental Progress—the only magazine geared to the particular environmental challenges of the chemical process industries, and now available in both print and online editions—aims to close that knowledge gap a bit further by devoting its contents exclusively to full-scale biofiltration processes.

"In recent years, numerous efforts have been made to extend biofiltration to a variety of environmental and industrial applications. These efforts have met with mixed success," writes guest editor Peter A. Gostomski of the University of New Zealand. "The economics and the perceived design simplicity make it an attractive treatment option to people unfamiliar with the technology. This perception means biofilters are often built in-house, which is not normally the case for other air treatment technologies, such as thermal oxidation or wet scrubbers," he explains, adding that while some of these home-made efforts succeed, "some fail, often suddenly, with little explanation. These failures are not surprising given the limited availability of information on key design parameters or operating principles, thus leading to an undeserved reputation of unreliability."

The recent publication of Biofiltration for Air Pollution Control, a book authored by J.S. Devinny, M.A. Deshusses, and T.S. Webster, Gostomski explains, has established basic design and operating principles for this technology. "The articles in this special edition attempt to expand on this work by looking at questions and problems that still exist with full scale biofiltration," he adds. "With contributions from industry, research organizations, and academia, it is hoped that this series of research articles will assist in the continual development and improved reliability of biofiltration."

Article titles include: "Biological Removal of Carbon Disulfide from Waste Air Streams," "Biofiltration of Asphalt Emissions: Full-Scale Operation Treating Off-Gases from Polymer-Modified Asphalt Production," "Case Study: Biofiltration of Styrene and Butylacetate at a Dashboard Manufacturer," "Vapor-Phase Bioreactors: Avoiding Problems Through Better Design and Operation," and "Evaluation of a Full-Scale Biofilter Media Performance."

Other special issues planned for Environmental Progress in 2000 will focus on air pollution control and "green chemistry."

Environmental Progress is a publication of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers that provides "thorough coverage of abatement, control, and containment of effluents and emissions within compliance standards." An online edition of EP is now available through the AIChE Web site at http://www.aiche.org/envprogress. Free previews of the site will be offered through Spring 2000. After that time, subscribers will be able to choose from print or Web editions, or both.

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