Naturally occurring microbes offer an efficient and cost-effective method of abating volatile organic compounds. MEGTEC offers two systems for this work -- the Bioreactor and the Bioscrubber. The specially selected, naturally occurring microbes used in MEGTEC Biosystems utilize VOCs as a carbon source for cell growth and reproduction. The microbes oxidize the VOCs to carbon dioxide and water, obtaining energy during the process. The Bioreactor is an ideal abatement system for situations where a high airflow with a relatively low solvent load renders alternative destruction and recovery technologies less cost-effective. This Bioreactor system is effective at controlling odors as well as VOC emissions, from a variety of process exhausts. The Bioreactor provides optimum conditions for cell growth and reproduction. The environment within the Bioreactor is controlled by recirculating water from the reactor sump and spraying it over the inert media bed which supports the microbes. Additional nutrients are fed to the microbes at a controlled rate based on the amount of VOCs being handled by the Bioreactor system. Where there are fluctuating VOC concentrations an activated carbon filter can be used to adsorb the high-peak concentrations. The filter releases the solvents when the inlet concentration falls, thereby smoothing out concentration and allowing the Bioreactor to receive a more constant VOC load. For operations where the VOC loads are high and solvents are miscible or partially miscible with water (such as alcohols, esters, ketones, aldehydes and amines), the Bioscrubber is applied. In these applications, a scrubber scrubs VOCs from the air stream into a water phase. The Bioscrubber system provides reasonable turndown and eliminates problems associated with packed columns such as blockage or build-up of biological growth. Water containing the VOCs then flows to a trickling filter that contains the microbes. As the water flows down through the filter, the VOCs are oxidized to carbon dioxide and water. The treated water is then collected and recycled back to the scrubber. MEGTEC Biosystems have low operating costs because they operate at ambient temperatures, requiring only enough energy to drive the VOC-laden air through the system. Most systems are designed to meet specific customer requirements, with layouts matched to the installation site. These systems also have minimum space requirements because degradation rates have been maximized, which has made it possible to reduce the overall size of the systems. For example, a contact time as short as a few seconds is often all that is required to reduce VOC concentrations from 1g/m to less than 50mg/m. Coupled with their outstanding emission abatement characteristics, MEGTEC Biosystems are extremely resilient. Systems can be shut down for weekends or annual shut downs without affecting the microbe population. This allows operations to be restarted and back to maximum removal efficiencies in a minimal amount of time. Systems are supplied on a delivered or turnkey basis. Contact us today to learn more about MEGTEC proven biological treatment systems for VOC abatement and odour control. |
