The number-one environmental threat to public health, air pollution remains a pressing problem-made even more complicated by the massive quantity and diversity of air pollution sources. Biofiltration technology (using micro-organisms growing on porous media) is being recognized as one of the most advantageous means to convert pollutants to harmless products. Done properly, biofiltration works at a reasonable cost-utilizing inexpensive components, without requiring fuel or generating hazardous by-products. Firmly established in Europe, biofiltration techniques are being increasingly applied in North America: Biofiltration for Air Pollution Control offers the necessary knowledge to "do it right."

The number-one environmental threat to public health, air pollution remains a pressing problem-made even more complicated by the massive quantity and diversity of air pollution sources. Biofiltration technology (using micro-organisms growing on porous media) is being recognized as one of the most advantageous means to convert pollutants to harmless products. Done properly, biofiltration works at a reasonable cost-utilizing inexpensive components, without requiring fuel or generating hazardous by-products. Firmly established in Europe, biofiltration techniques are being increasingly applied in North America: Biofiltration for Air Pollution Control offers the necessary knowledge to "do it right."

Here is the first book on biotechnological processes for controlling odor and air pollution emanating from industrial and municipal airstreams. Authors from academia and industry describe biotechnological methods ranging from those in laboratory stages to pilot evaluation to full-scale process implementation. In addition to the basic microbiology and engineering, the design, modeling, and control of bioreactors are discussed in detail.

Over the past two decades, the use of microbes to remove pollutants from contaminated air streams has become a widely accepted and efficient alternative to the classical physical and chemical treatment technologies. This book focuses on biotechnological alternatives, looking at both the optimization of bioreactors and the development of cleaner biofuels. It is the first reference work to give a broad overview of bioprocesses for the mitigation of air pollution. Essential reading for researchers and students in environmental engineering, biotechnology, and applied microbiology, and industrial and governmental researchers.

Many physico-chemical and operational factors influence the performance, treatment costs and long-term stability of biofilters for the treatment of wastewater. An Innovative Role of Biofiltration in Wastewater Treatment Plants focuses on identifying the factors that affect biofiltration, such as the hydraulic retention time of the biofiltration system, the type and characteristics of the filter and the attached biomass, explains their influence and provides guidelines on how to control these factors to optimize better operation with respect to pollutant control present in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The fundamental basis of treatment in biofilters is the action of pollutant-degrading microorganisms and consequently the book also discusses in depth about the microbial ecology of biofiltration. In addition, it explores the applications of biofiltration including the removal of emerging pollutants. Describes the microbial ecology of biofiltration Includes modeling of biofiltration Describes the designing of biofilters, start-up, and monitoring Discusses the mechanism of biofiltration Describes the controlling and operational factors of biofiltration

Air pollution, a major concern at the end of the 20th century, still remains a significant problem to be solved today. Traditionally, industrial waste gases have primarily been treated through physical or chemical methods. The search for new, efficient, and cost-effective alternative technologies has led to the development and, more recently, the improvement of gas phase bioreactors. This book is the first single text to provide a complete, comprehensive picture of all major biological reactors suitable for solving air pollution problems. The text describes the main features and covers the major aspects, from microbiological to engineering, as well as economic aspects, of the different types of bioreactors. The book also presents an in-depth review of the subject, from fundamental bench-scale research to industrial field applications related to the operation of full-scale systems successfully treating polluted air in Europe and the United States. Material dedicated to more conventional non-biological technologies has also been included, to provide a complete overview of the different alternative treatment processes. Audience: The different chapters have been written by international experts, as a result of a fruitful collaboration between European and American scientists and engineers. The resulting text is a high quality, valuable reference tool for a variety of readers, including graduate and postgraduate students, researchers, professors, engineers, and those professionals who are interested in environmental engineering and, more specifically, in innovative air pollution control technologies.

From Biofiltration to Promising Options in Gaseous Fluxes Biotreatment: Recent Developments, New Trends, Advances, and Opportunities provides an overview on the biological tools used for the treatment of the gaseous fluxes, with emphasis on traditional and perspective options, opening new horizons for research and implementation in practice. It is known that air pollution is an emergent global issue and a priority within the international environmental programs. Moreover, technologies based on biological methods are significantly contributing to the sustainable development concept. Thus this book provides tools for solving air pollution issues in a sustainable manner. These issues can be solved at different levels (e.g., "end-of-pipe" gaseous streams, indoor/outdoor air, closed environments), which can be approached by the different biotechniques presented in the book, from classical biofiltration techniques (part 1) to phytotreatment and microalgae-based techniques (part 2). Although all options have their particularities that make them special for certain applications, a special attention is drawn to the potential of the last one, which offers multiple possibilities for biomass valorization. Scientists from worldwide with relevant experience in their field have been contributed to the development of this book. - Presents the main biotechnological aspects applied for gas purification, focusing on process understanding, limitations, and capability in different applications - Promotes a sustainable future of the biofiltration process by enhancing their performance together with the simultaneously economic and environmental impacts - Implements new aspects of scientific research and development in the field