Biofiltration based on bioactive coatings for the abatement of indoor air VOCs

Biotechnologies are a feasible alternative for indoor air pollutant abatement. Among biotechnologies, bioactive coatings consist of microorganisms embedded in polymeric matrices, allowing direct contact between and gas pollutants, thus enhancing their Three bioreactors (BR1, BR2 BR3) were inoculated with VOC-degrading enriched culture, latex coating the fresh activated sludge. The influence empty bed residence time (EBRT) inlet concentrations on removal toluene, α-pinene n-hexane was assessed. BR1 achieved steady-state toluene pinene removals >90% down to 30 s. BR3 lower could be attributed lack acclimation When progressively reduced <2 mg m−3 at 15 s EBRT, increased >80% BR2, but only 64.2% BR3. Pinene reached 90.9% BR1, >70% bacterial population dominated by Rhodococcus, Mycobacterium, Devosia Rhodobacteraceae members BR2. No significant robust hexane observed regardless inoculum or operational conditions, probably due mass transfer limitations, which entailed low dominance organisms this metabolic capability.