As air pollutions from brick kilns are a continuosu threat for both human and environment. Here we developed an idea to use genetically modified microorganisms to control air pollution from brick kilns by using biofilters.

1. TEAM SWAG
Atikur Rahman
Tasmina Ferdous Susmi
Farzana Yasmin
Controlling Air pollution from
Brick Kilns by inserting
biofilter with Genetically
modified microorganism

2. BRICK KILNS AND
AIR POLLUTION
There are 7,707 brick kilns in the
country
DoE permission is mandatory for
brick kilns. But 2015 data show at
least 1,957 of them did not have it
WHO in 2018 said Dhaka was the
world's third worst city in terms of
air pollution, behind Delhi and
Cairo.
A five-year survey found that
Narayanganj has the most polluted Source: National Daily

3. BIOFILTER AND BIOFILTRATION
Biofiltration is a relatively new pollution control
technology.
It is an attractive technique for the elimination of
malodorous gas emissions and of low concentrations
of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
A biofilter’s main function is to bring microorganisms
into contact with pollutants contained in an air stream.

4. BIOFILTER AND BIOFILTRATION
Biofiltration is done by using biofilters.
Biofilters are the packed-bed units in which gas is
blown through bed of compost or soil covered by an
active biofilm made by the natural microorganisms.
The microorganisms consume the gaseous organic
pollutants and use as source of carbon and energy.
Instead, it may contain an inner support where a
special pool of microorganisms is cultivated.
The harmful compounds are degraded by an active
biofilm covering the bed.

5. COMPONENTS OF BIOFILTER
Media
Genetically modified microbial biomass
Rack
Moisture supply
Sludge extraction

6. GENETICALLY MODIFIED MICROBIAL
BIOMASS
Thermophiles, or thermophilic bacteria, are a type of
extreme bacteria (extremophiles) that thrive in
temperatures above 131 degrees Fahrenheit (55 Celsius).
There are several thermophilic microbial organisms
such as Pyrolobus fumari, Chloroflexus aurantiacus,
Thermus aquaticus, Thermus thermophiles etc.
We are going to modify one of these organisms
genetically by inserting the specific gene for degrading
the pollution in air like those are present in normal
biofilter process (actinomycetes, mainly Streptomyces
spp etc).

7. MECHANISM
The contaminated air flows slowly through porous media
such as soils, peat, compost, activated carbon, plastic
packing material that supports a degradative microbial
population attached to walls of the pores.
The contaminants are converted into liquid phase and
transported to bacterial cell in the biofilm and transferred
across the cell membrane, where the compound is
degraded and used in cell metabolism.
The treatment process depends on the mechanisms of
direct adsorption in biofilm and degradation.
The VOC converted into the simpler form and release the

9. ADVANTAGES OF BIOFILTRATION
Using biofiltration over other more convention control
methods are lower capital costs, lower operating costs, low
chemical usage, and no combustion source.
Can be designed to physically fit into any industrial setting.
 Can be designed as any shape, size or as an open field
with the piping and delivery system underground. In
addition, multiple units can be run in parallel.
Biofiltration is versatile enough to treat odors, toxic
compounds, and VOCs.

10. Thanks to