CONDENSATION AND BIOFILTRATION

GROUP 3
FORTUNE MAFIRAKUREVA N0187524K
GRACIOUS MAGOCHE N0188117J
THABILE MUSWEDE N0182100H
BEATRICE MANDHLIKURA N0187609J
DOMINIC MAGWADI N0182854H
NYARAI MADYAZVIVI N0174009V
CONDENSATION
 Condensation is a process where water vapor in the air is converted into
liquid form by cooling.

 The process involves cooling the gas or vapor to a temperature below its
dew point, which is the temperature at which the gas or vapor begins to
condense into a liquid or by increasing it pressure.

 As the gas or vapor is cooled, its molecules lose energy and move closer
together, forming liquid droplets.

 These droplets can then be collected and processed as needed. It is a

commonly used method of controlling air pollution, particularly for the
removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other hydrocarbons.
PRINCIPLES OF CONDENSATION
 In a condenser, air is passed over a cooled surface, which causes water vapor
in the air to condense and form liquid droplets.

 The liquid droplets can then be collected and removed from the air,
effectively removing pollutants.

 In environmental applications, condensation is often used to remove volatile

organic compounds (VOCs) and other pollutants from air or gas streams.

 In these applications, the gas or vapor is first passed through a condenser,

which cools it to the point where the pollutants condense into liquid droplets.
The droplets can then be collected and disposed of, or further treated using
other processes.
 Condensers are typically used a pre-treatment devices.
 They can be used ahead of absorbers and incinerators to reduce the total gas volume
to be treated by more expensive control equipment.
 Condensers used for pollution control are contact condensers and surface condensers.
 In contact condenser , the gas comes into contact with the cold liquid.
 In a surface condenser, the gas contacts a cooled surface in which cooled liquid or gas
is circulated, such as the outside of the tube.

Figure 1 : Contact and Surface Condensers

ADVANTAGES
 High Removal Efficiency: Condensation is an effective method of removing

pollutants, particularly VOCs and hydrocarbons, with removal efficiencies

ranging from 90% to 99%.

 Versatile: Condensation can be used to remove a wide range of pollutants,

including those with high boiling points, making it a versatile method of air

pollution control.

 Low Operating Cost: The operating cost of condensation is relatively low

compared to other air pollution control methods, as it does not require any

chemicals or consumables.
DISADVANTAGES
 High Energy Consumption: Condensation requires a significant amount of
energy to cool the air, making it an energy-intensive process.

 High Capital Costs - Condensation systems can be expensive to install and

maintain, especially in large-scale industrial applications.

 Limited Application: Condensation is not suitable for removing pollutants such

as particulate matter, which requires other air pollution control methods.

 Environmental Impact: The discharge of condensate can have environmental

impacts, as it may contain pollutants that require treatment before
discharge.
APPLICATIONS OF CONDENSATION

 Wastewater Treatment

 Refrigeration

 Chemical Processing- For example, in the production of ethanol,

condensation is used to recover the ethanol vapor from the

fermentation process.
 BIOFILTRATION
Biofiltration is a process where contaminated air is passed through a bed of
organic material, such as compost or peat that is inhabited by micro organisms,
to remove pollutants. The process relies on the activity of microorganisms, which
degrade pollutants into harmless byproducts.

Figure 2 : Process of Biofiltration of contaminated air

PRINCIPLES OF BIOFILTRATION
 Biofiltration relies on the principle that microorganisms can degrade
pollutants into harmless byproducts.
 In a biofilter, contaminated air is passed through a bed of organic material,
which acts as a substrate for the growth of microorganisms.
 These microorganisms use the pollutants as a source of food and break them
down into less harmful substances, such as carbon dioxide and water.
 Biofiltration is a highly effective and sustainable method for removing
pollutants from air or water. It is widely used in wastewater treatment, storm
water management, and industrial applications.

 Biofilters can be customized to target specific pollutants and can be designed

to operate under a wide range of conditions.
ADVANTAGES

 Low Operating Cost: Biofiltration has low operating costs compared to other air
pollution control methods, as it does not require any chemicals or consumables.

 High Removal Efficiency: Biofiltration is an effective method of removing

pollutants, with removal efficiencies ranging from 60% to 99%.

 Versatile: Biofiltration can be used to remove a wide range of pollutants,

including VOCs, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide.

 Biofiltration is also very cost-effective, as it requires minimal maintenance and

can be operated using readily available organic materials.
DISADVANTAGES
 Limited Application: Biofiltration is not suitable for removing pollutants such
as particulate matter, which requires other air pollution control methods.

 Long Start-Up Time: Biofilters require a start-up time of several months to

establish a stable microbial population, which can be a significant
disadvantage in some applications.

 Bed Clogging: Biofilters can become clogged with organic material, reducing
their effectiveness and requiring regular maintenance.
APPLICATIONS OF BIOFILTRATION
Biofiltration is used in a variety of applications, including wastewater treatment,
food processing, and air pollution control.
 In wastewater treatment, biofiltration is used to remove organic pollutants
and ammonia from wastewater before it is discharged into the environment.

 In food processing, biofiltration is used to control odors from cooking and

processing operations.

 In air pollution control, biofiltration is used to remove volatile organic

compounds (VOCs) and other pollutants from industrial emissions.
Design considerations for biofiltration systems
When designing a biofiltration system, there are several considerations that need
to be taken into account. These include
 the selection of organic material
 the type and concentration of microorganisms
 the airflow rate
 the temperature of the system
 humidity of the system.
It is also important to consider the size and location of the system, as well as any
regulatory requirements that may apply.
Case study-Kingsport plant
 One plant that has implemented condensation and biofiltration
technologies is the Eastman Chemical Company's Kingsport site,
located in Tennessee, USA.
 The Kingsport site is one of Eastman's largest manufacturing
facilities, producing a range of chemicals and materials for various
industries. It is a chemical plant that produces various chemicals and
solvents.
 The plant has been in operation for several decades and has been a
significant source of air and water pollution in the surrounding area.
 The plant has been subject to numerous environmental regulations
over the years, and the management team has been committed to
finding new and innovative ways to reduce its environmental
footprint.
Addressing the issue of air pollution
 the Kingsport plant installed a condensation system to capture and
recover the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted during the
production process.
 The system works by cooling the exhaust gases from the production
process, causing the VOCs to condense into a liquid form.
 The recovered liquid is then collected and reused in the production
process, reducing the amount of new VOCs that need to be produced.
 The condensation system has been highly effective in reducing VOC
emissions from the plant, resulting in a significant improvement in air
quality in the surrounding area.
Addressing the issue of water contamination
 the Kingsport plant implemented a biofiltration system to treat the
contaminated water before it is discharged into nearby streams and
rivers.
 The biofiltration system works by passing the contaminated water
through a series of filters containing layers of organic material, such
as compost and wood chips.
 The organic material provides a substrate for microorganisms to grow
and break down the pollutants in the water.
 The treated water is then discharged into the environment, meeting
strict regulatory standards for water quality.
 The biofiltration system has been highly effective in treating the
contaminated water from the plant, reducing the amount of
pollutants discharged into nearby water sources.
Case study 2-mimosa mine
 The Mimosa mining plant is one of the largest platinum mines in
Zimbabwe, located in the Midlands province. The plant uses a
combination of condensation and biofiltration for air pollution
control.
 The plant is located in an area with a high concentration of
suspended particulate matter, which can have negative health
impacts on workers and the local community. The plant's
management recognized the need for effective air pollution control
measures to protect the health of their workers and the environment.
 To address this issue, the plant installed a two-stage air pollution
control system. The first stage uses a condenser to remove water
vapor from the exhaust gases. This process reduces the concentration
of pollutants and allows for the effective removal of particulate
matter. The condensed water is then reused in the plant's operations,
reducing the overall water consumption.
 The second stage of the air pollution control system uses a biofilter to remove
any remaining pollutants from the exhaust gases. The biofilter consists of a
bed of organic material, such as wood chips or peat moss, through which the
exhaust gases are passed. The organic material provides a substrate for the
growth of microorganisms, which then break down the pollutants in the
exhaust gases.
 The biofilter is designed to maintain an optimal environment for the
microorganisms to thrive, including adequate moisture, oxygen, and
temperature levels. The system is regularly monitored to ensure that the
conditions are optimal and that the microorganisms are effectively removing
pollutants from the exhaust gases.
 The effectiveness of the air pollution control system at the Mimosa mining
plant has been demonstrated through regular air quality monitoring. The
plant's management has reported a significant reduction in the concentration
of suspended particulate matter in the surrounding air since the installation of
the system.

 The plant's adoption of condensation and biofiltration for air pollution

control is an example of sustainable development in the mining industry. 
references
 F. Hammes, T. Juhna, in Comprehensive Biotechnology (Second Edition), 2011
 Gero Leson & Arthur M. Winer (1991) Biofiltration: An Innovative Air Pollution
Control Technology For VOC Emissions, Journal of the Air & Waste
Management Association, 41:8, 1045-1054, DOI: 
10.1080/10473289.1991.10466898
 Devinny, Joseph & Deshusses, Marc & Webster, Todd. (2017). Biofiltration for
Air Pollution Control. 10.1201/9781315138275.
 Air Pollution Control Technology Review: Condensation (cpilink.com)