Use of Biofiltration to Reduce VOC and HAP Emissions in the Board Industry, 1998 Plastic Laminates Symposium Proceedings

The board industry has long been aware of the need to control airborne releases. However, with the 1990 amendments to the Federal Clean Air Act and subsequent rule development, emissions of compounds such as formaldehyde, phenol and methanol from both the press and laminating processes are now subjected to heightened scrutiny. The industry has responded with substitution of resins with lower free contaminant contents which has significantly reduced plant emissions. However, with regulators having mandates to further reduce emissions and maximum achievable control standards only a few years away, the industry as a whole must look for an economical control strategy to meet current and future regulatory initiatives.

In an effort to meet the ever more restrictive regulatory requirements, further emission control is necessary. One method being given serious consideration is biofiltration, a naturally occurring breakdown of organic compounds to CO and H O. This paper discusses current research into the use of biofilters for reducing emissions from press and 2 2 drier exhausts and presents an economic review of biofiltration compared to other control options.