Air pollution is one of the main problems in many urban areas around the world, and environmental concerns, responsibility for our planet and building public awareness are becoming a priority. Unfortunately, the fuel , metallurgical, chemical and paper industries, as well as municipal landfills, are increasingly becoming sources of air pollution. The compact three-phase reactor (KBT) technology developed by Ekoinwentyka using JUMO automation is a modern and pro-ecological approach to the problem of air pollution removal in the industrial sector using micro-organisms. Read more!
Pilot and demonstration installation
Biodegradation of a mixture of mercaptans, NH3, H2S, VOCs (composting plant)
Bioreactors make it possible to purify the air coming out of production halls, paint chambers, ventilation stacks or mines. In addition to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), they allow the elimination of odours or hydrogen sulphide. Of the large number of pollutants emitted into the atmosphere, VOCs are one of the most dangerous groups of air pollutants. They are attributed with adverse effects on climate change and carcinogenic potential. The use of biological VOC treatment methods based on proprietary know-how is at the heart of biotechnology bioreactors.
Bio-purification of the air 1,000m underground at the KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. mine.
The KBT plant is fully automated, allowing the process to be monitored and controlled remotely. The measurement automation system used consists of:
To ensure that the liquid in the bioscrubber system is flowing optimally, it is necessary to monitor the flow rate precisely. A flow rate that is too slow can lead to ineffective treatment, while a flow rate that is too fast can lead to unnecessary energy consumption and stress on the system. Ecoinverica has used flowmeters such as:
- ATEX intrinsically safe air flow meter at the reactor inlet: for optimising the remaining process parameters and adjusting them to the potential amount of incoming contamination.
- liquid phase flowmeter: to control the amount of water returned and adjust its level to the amount of incoming air. A decrease in contaminant removal rate can result from a shortage of water. At the same time, an excess of water can limit the availability of oxygen in the deeper layers of the biofilter, leading to the formation of anaerobic areas that slow down the biodegradation of VOCs.
During commissioning of the Ex/ATEX version of the air flow meter
Liquid phase electromagnetic flowmeters
- Turbidity probes: to control the amount of biomass, the multiplication level of micro-organisms and to detect possible ‘breakthrough’ of the filters and unwanted suspended solids entering the bioreactor with the air;
Eco-inventory decided to automate the monitoring of the amount of microorganisms using the JUMO ecoLine NTU turbidity probes. This advanced optical probe monitors the turbidity level in the water that flows through the bioscrubber, using the phenomenon of light scattering. With a wide measuring range and fault-tolerant communication via RS485 interface and Modbus protocol, the JUMO ecoLine NTU provides precise and reliable real-time readings.
Turbidity meters with JUMO AQUIS 500 pH transducers. Infrared measurement (880 nm) according to the 90° scattered light measurement principle (according to DIN EN ISO 7027).
Bio-washer clogging is one of the challenges that can lead to a reduction in the efficiency of the air purification process. In order to prevent this, it is important to monitor the differential pressure in the system, which allows early detection of gas flow problems. Ecoinvent decided to use a JUMO multi-band differential pressure transmitter, specifically designed to work with non-aggressive gases.
Measuring the differential pressure at the inlet and outlet of the bioreactor for air purification
The key step towards automation was the introduction of the JUMO ecoTRANS pH 03 transmitter and pH controller.
- Level sensor in palletopojeminers: an alarm in the event of low values allowing medium, acid and alkaline to be replenished in good time.
When calibrating the pH electrode at the test station
Peristaltic pumps working with pH electrode and level sensors
Colonies of micro-organisms treat organic pollutants as a type of food, which is a source of the carbon they need for life. Additional nutrients are provided in dissolved form in the water. The most commonly used mineral salts include: KH2PO4, KNO3, (NH4)2SO4, NH4Cl, CaCl2, MgSO4, MnSO4, or FeSO4.
The use of bioreactors makes it possible to comply with current European Union regulations in the area of environmental protection. For businesses, this means lower emission charges and eliminating the risk of penalties for exceeding them. The process is carried out at low temperature (30°C) and at atmospheric pressure, so the operating costs of running the process are low. In addition, the plant does not require the use of expensive catalysts and the automation used has low operating costs.
The high degree of automation and the possibility of online monitoring via a SCADA system also provides confidence that the process is running correctly and efficiently, which translates into service quality and customer satisfaction.
The estimated service life of the installation is 20 years.
Damian Kasperczyk, Ph.D., President of Ekoinwentyka Sp. z o.o., presenting the results of research that was carried out at the Osiek sulphur mine in Osiek, which belongs to the Azoty Group ‘Siarkopol’.
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