title: Removal of traces of toluene and p-xylene in indoor air using biofiltration and a hybrid system (biofiltration + adsorption).
abstract: Biofiltration technology and the hybrid system combining biofiltration and adsorption (onto activated carbon) were compared as possible methods to toluene and p-xylene at parts per million concentration levels (2-45 and 1-33 ppb, respectively). An organic material was used as packing material for the biofiltration process. Even at low empty bed residence times (EBRTs) and concentrations, toluene removal efficiency reached 100% and p-xylene showed an increasing trend on their removal efficiency over the time using biofiltration. The assessment of by-products and particle generation by the biofilter and the hybrid system were taken into account. Acetone and acetic acid were identified as by-products of the biofilter. Particle emissions in the range of 0.03 to 10 μm were recorded for both systems.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Thermique, Univ Pau & Pays Adour, Energétique Et Procédés-IPRA, EA1932, 64000, Pau, France. a.luengasmunoz@univ-pau.fr.|Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of the Basque Country, Alameda Urquijo s/n, 48013, Bilbao, Spain. a.luengasmunoz@univ-pau.fr.
authors.forename: Angela Tatiana
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Luengas
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Thermique, Univ Pau & Pays Adour, Energétique Et Procédés-IPRA, EA1932, 64000, Pau, France.
authors.forename: Cécile
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0198-0755
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hort
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Thermique, Univ Pau & Pays Adour, Energétique Et Procédés-IPRA, EA1932, 64000, Pau, France.
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Platel
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of the Basque Country, Alameda Urquijo s/n, 48013, Bilbao, Spain.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elias
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of the Basque Country, Alameda Urquijo s/n, 48013, Bilbao, Spain.
authors.forename: Astrid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barona
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Thermique, Univ Pau & Pays Adour, Energétique Et Procédés-IPRA, EA1932, 64000, Pau, France.
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moynault
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D000393:Air Pollutants; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor; D005374:Filtration; D014050:Toluene; D014992:Xylenes
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D014992:Xylenes; D014050:Toluene; C031286:4-xylene
keywords: Adsorption; Biofiltration; Hybrid system; Indoor air pollution; Volatile organic compounds