Grantee Research Project Results
High Efficiency Biofilter for Styrene Removal from Indoor Air
EPA Contract Number: 68D60044Title: High Efficiency Biofilter for Styrene Removal from Indoor Air
Investigators: Wikstrom, C. V.
Small Business: Bioengineering Resources Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: September 1, 1996 through March 1, 1997
Project Amount: $70,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (1996) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Air Pollution , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) , Air Quality and Air Toxics
Description:
Fiberglass boat manufacturing operations in the United States produce large amounts of volatile organic carbon (VOC) emissions, especially styrene and acetone. It is estimated that 2 to 140 tons of styrene are formed per plant per year and a total of 20,150 tons are emitted each year in the United States. It is proposed to utilize the ability of microorganisms to completely mineralize both acetone and styrene from air in fiberglass boat manufacturing facilities. A mixed culture will be developed for this purpose. A biofilter will then be constructed for the removal of these volatile and toxic substances. This filter should be highly efficient for the removal of VOC in air and would be inexpensive to operate. Finally, a preliminary process development study will be undertaken to identify parameters and design constraints necessary for a Phase II demonstration, and to attract industrial collaborators.Supplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, air emissions, engineering, chemistry., Air, Scientific Discipline, Industry Sectors, Toxics, Manufacturing - NAIC 31-33, Chemistry, HAPS, Environmental Chemistry, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, indoor air, air toxics, Environmental Engineering, acetone, hazardous air pollutants, indoor air quality, workplace, industrial emissions, biofilter, styrene removal, biofilter , emissions, biofiltration systems, atmospheric chemistry, environmentally conscious manufacturing, indoor air pollution control, ambient emissions, emission control technologies, indoor VOC compounds, air pollutants, ambient air, emissions contol engineering, air pollutionProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.