Biofiltration for Treating Waste Gasses Contaminated With Volatile Organic Compounds

This project is being conducted by graduate student Bill Moe, under the direction of advisor Robert L. Irvine in the Department of Civil Engineering and Geological Sciences, 156 Fitzpatrick Hall, University of Notre Dame

This project focuses primarily on vapor-phase biofiltration, the use of immobilized microorganisms to remove and degrade organic contaminants from waste gases. This is a significant and growing field as researchers in academia and industry alike seek new ways to safely, economically, and effectively control air pollution originating from industrial operations as well as environmental remediation projects.

The specific applications of this technology involve operating strategy and performance enhancements during discontinuous or periodic operation. This is an area neglected by many researchers but which plays a significant role in performance. Past research efforts by several researchers at Notre Dame on periodic processes to biologically treat hazardous compounds make this an ideal area for exploration.

Compounds currently being treated by biofiltration include isopropylbenzene and toluene. Isopropylbenzene, commonly called cumene, is produced as an intermediate during the industrial production of phenol. Toluene is a component of gasoline which is a common environmental pollutant.
Sequencing Batch Reactors (SBRs) and sequencing Bath Biofilm Reactors (SBBRs) are being operated to culture microorganisms to innoculate biofilters and also to study kinetics of biodegradation of organic compounds.
Texaco Research & Development recently donated nearly $11,000 worth of biofiltration equipment to Notre Dame for use on this project. Clemson Technical Center, operated by RUST Federal Services, generously donated three gas chromatographs for use in this project.