ABSTRACT
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are waste gases from many industrial processes, and pose a serious health and environmental risk. Biofilters are a form of reactor/packed-bed filter. They can be open or closed, depending on the available area for the unit and the amount of pollutant to be processed. Many different materials have been used as the media for biofiltration, and there is no perfect solution. This is due to the different natures of VOCs, and the different combinations and unit requirements. The biofilm thickness plays an important part in the overall effectiveness of the biofilter. The biofilm can be described as a mass of organisms that are growing on the surface of the media/solid support. It is essentially where the bulk of the conversion of the target contaminant to harmless product takes place. Finding a new use for waste products is a growing concern in today's world.
