Acclimation and Nutrition of Indoor Air Biofilters
AB Darlington1,2* and MA Dixon1
ABSTRACT
Biofilters removed significant amounts of toluene and methylethylketone (MEK) present in parts per billion (by volume) concentrations from an indoor space. Two species of living moss (Plagiomnium cuspidatum and Eurhynchium riparoides) and coconut fibre were used as packing material. The moss biofilters removed significant amounts of MEK during the first diurnal cycle of operation and required approximately six days to reach maximal removal rates. All biofilters responded positively to the use of supplemental nutrients. Plagiomnium cuspidatum and coconut fibre biofilters were only able to remove toluene after the addition of nutrients. Once acclimated, the differences in the toluene removal efficiencies (percent removed per pass) for the moss biofilters could be attributed to the growth pattern of the mosses. There were no differences in the elimination capacity (removal per unit biofilter volume per unit time) of the different packing materials for toluene but the coconut fibre removed significantly more MEK.
INDEX TERMS
Indoor air quality, Biofiltration, Acclimation, Nutrients, VOCs
1Controlled Environment Systems Research Group, Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON Canada N1G 2W1.
2Air Quality Solutions Ltd., 55 Callander Drive, Guelph, ON. Canada N1E 4H6
