Temperature and Airflow Influences Indoor Air Biofiltration
DJ Llewellyn1*, AB Darlington1,2 and MA Dixon1
ABSTRACT
Biofiltration is an alternative to ventilation for maintaining indoor air quality. Our biofilters were comprised of complex communities of plants which provides many ecological niches for microbial colonization while having strong aesthetic appeal. This study focused on the effects of temperature and airflow on biofiltration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Indoor biofilters typically function very well at ambient temperatures. However, some poorly degraded VOCs have low solubilities. Reduced biofilter temperatures may improve degradation by increasing contaminant solubility, however this may be offset by reduced microbiological activity. Another advantage of subambient temperatures is a reduction in humidity loading on the indoor air stream. Test biofilters were run at temperatures of 17 and 27 °C. Ambient methylethylketone (MEK) and benzene concentrations ranged from 10 to 80 ppbv. Benzene removal was greater at 27 °C suggesting microbially limiting conditions while MEK removal was higher at 17 °C inferring substrate-limiting conditions.
INDEX TERMS
Biofiltration, VOC degradation, Temperature, Humidity
1 Controlled Environment Systems Research Group, Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
2 Air Quality Solutions Ltd., Guelph, ON, Canada
