Biofilters are media beds where microorganisms grow to form a biofilm that degrades pollutants for air filtration and wastewater treatment. They offer advantages such as lower operational costs and effective treatment, but are susceptible to clogging, which can be managed through physical or chemical means. Biofilters are being increasingly recognized for their eco-friendly and cost-effective approach in various applications including drinking water improvement, wastewater treatment, and aquaculture systems.

1. BIO FILTERS
Presented by
 Mohammed Abdul Rahman
 Mohammed Abdul Lateef
 Tanzeel ar Rahman

2. What is actually a
Bio filter..?
A biofilter is a bed of media on which
microorganisms attach and grow to form a
biological layer.
The layer thus formed is referred as a Bio film.
The biofilm is formed by a community of
different microorganisms
bacteria, fungi, yeast, macro-organisms
like protozoa, worms, insect's larvae, etc.

3. Bio filters for Control of Air Pollution
• When applied to air
filtration and
purification, Biofilters
use microorganisms to
remove air pollution.
• The air flows through a packed bed and
the pollutant transfers into a thin biofilm
on the surface of the packing material.
Microorganisms, including bacteria and
fungi are immobilized in the biofilm and
degrade the pollutant.
• A biofilter/bio-oxidation system is a fairly simple device to construct and operate and
offers a cost-effective solution provided the pollutant is biodegradable within a
moderate time frame

4. Advantages
• Because microrganisms are retained within the
biofilm, Bio filtration allows the development of
microorganisms with relatively low specific growth
rates.
• Operational costs are usually lower than for activated
sludge.
• Final treatment result is less influenced by biomass
separation since the biomass concentration at the
effluent is much lower than for suspended biomass
processes.

5. Drawbacks
Because filtration and growth of biomass leads to an accumulation
of matter in the filtering media, this type of fixed-film process is
subject to clogging and flow channeling.
Depending on the type of application and on the media used for
microbial growth, clogging can be controlled using physical or
chemical methods.
Whenever possible, some steps can be implemented using air or
water to disrupt the biomaterial and recover flow. Chemicals such
as oxidizing (peroxide, ozone) or biocide agents can also be used.

6. Some aspects where Biofilteration is
supported are..
 For Drinking water
 For Wastewater
 For Use in aquaculture

7. For Drinking water
For drinking water, biological water treatment involves the use of
naturally occurring microorganisms in the surface water to
improve water quality.
Under optimum conditions, including relatively low turbidity and
high oxygen content, the organisms break down material in the
water and thus improve water quality.
Slow sand filters or carbon filters are used to provide a support
on which these microorganisms grow.
Elaborating these aspects…

8. For Wastewater
Biofiltration is used to treat wastewater from a wide range of
sources,with varying organic compositions and concentrations.
This process is versatile as it can be adapted to small flows.
A biofilter located after a septic tank constitutes a robust process able
to sustain the variability observed without compromising the
treatment performance.

9. Use in aquaculture
The use of biofilters is common in closed aquaculture systems,
such as recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS).
Many designs are used, with different benefits and
drawbacks,reducing water exchanges by
converting ammonia to nitrate.
Ammonia (NH4
+ and NH3) originates from the
brachial excretion from the gills of aquatic animals and from
the decomposition of organic matter.

10.  Biofilters is emerging as an environmentally
sustainable, economically viable and socially acceptable
technology.
 It uses the ability of the beneficial microbes to
breakdown organic wastes present in waste water and
transform it into simple forms.
 And a natural way of recycling nutrients and removal of
toxins.
Why Bio filters

11. Judiciously Use the 5 P's
(Petrol, Power, Paper, P lastic &
Potable Water)
Embrace the 5 R's Rule
(Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle &
be Responsible)
In everyday life about waste