What is biofilter / biofiltration?
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Biofiltration, also known as biofilter, is a pollution control technique that uses microorganisms to remove contaminants from waste gas or water. It involves passing the polluted air or water through a filter media where the microorganisms, attached to the media, degrade the contaminants into simpler and less toxic compounds. The microorganisms utilize these compounds as an energy and food source for their growth and development. Biofiltration is a popular and cost-effective technique due to its simplicity, high removal efficiency, low energy requirement, and the lack of further treatment or disposal needed for the residual products. It can be used to remove a wide range of contaminants, including odor, volatile organic compounds, and other pollutants. The media used in biofilters can be natural or synthetic, such as sand, gravel, plastic, or ceramic materials. Biofiltration has been successfully applied in various industries, including wastewater treatment and drinking water treatment.
Answers from top 4 papers
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| Papers (4) | Insight |
|---|---|
| Biofiltration is a technology that uses attached biomass on a media to degrade and remove pollutants from air, water, and wastewater treatment plants. It is a natural system engineered to remove various contaminants. | |
| Biofiltration is a process that uses a biological layer called biofilm, formed by microorganisms and other substances, to treat organic and inorganic pollutants in water or air. | |
01 Jan 2022 | Biofiltration is a pollution control technique that uses microorganisms grown on various media to remove contaminants from waste gas or water by degrading them into simpler and less toxic compounds. |
| Biofiltration is a process used in drinking water treatment that removes biodegradable organic matter and decreases disinfection by-product production by utilizing biodegradation, sorption to biofilms, and physical separation. |
Related Questions
What is biofouling?4 answersBiofouling refers to the growth and adhesion of organisms on wet surfaces, including microorganisms like bacteria and unicellular algae, as well as macroorganisms like mussels, barnacles, and tube worms. It is a major problem for industries, but the settlement and growth of certain biofouling species, such as oysters and corals, can be desirable. Understanding the biofouling process is important, and modern "omic" techniques like metabolomics, metagenomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics provide unique opportunities to study biofouling organisms and their interactions with the environment. Traditional approaches to mitigate biofouling include the use of biocides, physical cleaning, and chemical treatments, but these methods have limitations. Alternative approaches being explored include the use of lichen-associated symbionts, which produce compounds that inhibit biofilm formation and growth, and the use of nanotechnology to develop coatings that deter microorganisms from attaching to surfaces.
What is membrane filtration?5 answersMembrane filtration is a process used for separating contaminants or impurities from fluids, such as water or industrial fluids, by passing them through a membrane. This technique is widely used in various industries due to its high separation efficiency, simplicity, and low cost. The membrane acts as a barrier, allowing only certain particles or molecules to pass through while retaining others. Different types of membranes, such as microfiltration and ultrafiltration membranes, are available on the market with diverse materials and pore sizes. The structure and pore size of the membrane can be controlled through various methods, such as thermal-vapor assisted phase separation. Membrane filtration has applications in water and sewage treatment, as well as in the purification of industrial fluids to remove small trace impurities. Additionally, membrane filtration can be used for the separation of oil droplets from oil-contaminated waters.
What is the process in filtration?1 answersFiltration is a process that involves separating particles from a liquid dispersion. This can be achieved by moving an object through the dispersion, which selectively removes particles and attaches them to the object. Filtration has been used for centuries, with early forms of straining through porous materials described by ancient Chinese writers and the use of gravity filters documented in an Egyptian papyrus from the third century AD. In modern filtration processes, membranes equipped with organic particles such as zinc oxide are used to effectively permeate liquids while allowing for easy removal of the particles through cleaning operations. Filtration is an essential process in wastewater treatment systems, with numerous research and theoretical studies conducted to understand its mechanisms and optimize its efficiency. A filtration device has been developed for separating different substances, featuring a separation chamber, a pump, and pore plates for filtering the solution.
What are the different types of biological filters?0 answersBiological filters are an important component of various systems, including aquaculture and wastewater treatment. Different types of biological filters have been developed to suit different purposes and conditions. One type is the biological aerated filter, which can be divided into upper-flow and down-flow types based on water flow directions. The upper-flow type is commonly used due to its ability to distribute water and air more uniformly and enhance pollutant removal efficiency. Another type is the biofilter, which is widely used in recirculating aquaculture systems. It is economically feasible and helps in nitrification processes. Gravel, Bio-Ball, and Water-cleanser are examples of biological filters used in aquaculture systems to regulate water quality parameters and enhance the health and immune response of aquatic species. The alternating type biological filter is composed of two filters with the same structure and is designed to remove phosphorus from wastewater. Lastly, the multifunctional high-efficiency biological filter consists of four stages with different brush elastic mediums and aeration disks, providing strong biological purifying capability and intercepting organisms in circulating water.
Issues with the existing biofilters for oil spills5 answersExisting biofilters for oil spills face several issues that need to be addressed for effective remediation. One key issue is the control of electron donors/acceptors in the bioelectrochemical systems (BES) used for bioremediation. The microbiological processes involved in bioelectrochemical contaminant degradation, particularly in relation to electron transfer mechanisms, are not fully understood. Another challenge is the limited understanding of the fate of petroleum hydrocarbons in deep-sea environments and the constraints on bioremediation under increased hydrostatic pressures and low temperatures. The microbial pathways fueling oil bioassimilation in deep-sea environments are unclear, and the reasons why the most predominant hydrocarbonoclastic genera are not enriched at deep-sea sites remain unknown. Additionally, the toxicity of the polluting material may increase during biodegradation, and toxic compounds refractory to biological degradation can compromise the effectiveness of the treatment technique. These issues highlight the need for further research and development to improve the performance and applicability of biofilters for oil spill remediation.
What is filtration?2 answersFiltration is the process of separating solid particles from a liquid or gas by passing the mixture through a porous medium. It is widely used in various industries, including the food and pharmaceutical industries, for purposes such as purification, separation, and removal of contaminants. There are different types of filtration, including depth filtration and surface filtration. Depth filtration is used for air and water purification, while surface filtration is more extensively applied. Filtration can be achieved through mechanisms such as flow through porous media, pressing, and squeezing. Various types of filters, such as sand filters, cartridge filters, and centrifuge filters, are used in industrial filtration processes. Self-cleaning filters have advantages over traditional manual and mechanical cleaning methods, including reduced product loss and improved flow consistency.