Rationale, Design, Construction, and Start-Up of an Engineered Biofilter Pilot System, 2002 Environmental Conference Proceedings

K. Sturman, J. Boswell and P. John

SierraPine Limited, with experience in both thermal oxidizer and biofiltration technologies for control of VOC and HAP emissions from wood products plants, determined that in order to meet the upcoming MACT standards, additional controls might be necessary at several of its mills. This wood products company's experience with biofiltration, combined with the timely expansion and development of new product designs by BioReaction Industries, LLC, provided a unique opportunity for a partnership. Discussions lead to an agreement to conduct a multi-unit pilot study on press vent emissions at the Springfield Particleboard Mill. Several biofilter designs were developed by the biofilter manufacturer to address suspended particulate, airflow, and HAP concentrations from the press vents. Fabrication and installation of four uniquely designed, 10,000 acfm biofilters was completed, with start-up on September 17, 2001. All airflow from one press vent (with the highest HAP and particulate emissions) was selected for the pilot project, with the flow divided equally to each of the pilot units. Each of the pilot biofilters is independently adjustable for a number of parameters in order to determine the best design for optimum removal efficiency and cost effectiveness. Evaluation will continue for up to one year with the expectation that HAP removal efficiency will continuously meet or exceed the MACT standard; and that with lower initial capital and no additional fuel costs, one or more of the prototype biofilter units will be appropriate for use in this and other wood product applications.