The principles of biofilters have evolved over the years and now industries have better and more advanced technologies to gain control over industrial odor. However, each industry odor is different from the other and biological treatment solutions have emerged as one of the popular choices with effective results.

Industries want better control over odor by also maintaining maximum sustainability and applying cheaper solutions. Keeping that in mind there are popularly two systems – bio trickling filter and bioscrubber that comes into play.

Both the systems have a natural method of eliminating odor instead of using activated carbon or other chemical treatment for the purpose. While most assume that the two systems are similar to one another. In fact, there are some subtle differentiations between the two.

Continue to read till the end to learn the difference between bio trickling filters and bioscrubbers.

Bioscrubbers

This odor emission treatment system is primarily based upon the microorganisms that are present in water. This water is recirculated throughout the treatment vessel.

The foul air that settles at the bottom of the vessel is forced upward during recirculation. During its upward passage, the foul air is dispersed via synthetic media and comes in contact with the water laden containing microorganisms.

 The microorganisms react and metabolize with the compounds of foul air and in result emitting clean air from the vessel. A bioscrubber’s key feature is its water circulation function.

It is the circulated water within the vessel that holds fast all the comprehending metabolized compounds when the foul air is pushed upward, therefore, increasing its acidity.

Even though the acidity helps in the growth of some microorganisms, not all can thrive in such an environment.

Bio Trickling Filter

While everything in bio trickling filter works similarly as bioscrubber, except for one thing. Here the microorganism growth occurs within the media.

Also, biotrickling filters do not have the feature of recirculating water within the vessel. The water that is utilized in this filter is for one-time use only. The purpose of this water is to rinse out any metabolized compounds from the drain.

Even though it seems like that the bio trickling filter might use more water in terms of this step, in reality, both bioscrubbers and bio trickling filters use the same amount of water for its airflow operations.

Which one is the better choice?

Both of these systems function in an almost similar way and offer impressive odor control and emission solutions. Nevertheless, in terms of overall efficiency rate, the bio trickling filter is slightly above that of bioscrubber.

Several research studies have shown that bio trickling filters have greater diversity of bacteria. The microorganisms formed are varied within the vessel. This diversity works more efficiently in removing an extensive range of compounds produced in the industrial processes including the odor releasing compounds.

Alternatively, bio trickling filters are also cheaper offering reduced operations costs. They are also a lot easier to maintain as its system does not include any piping or extra pump for water recirculation. Whereas, bioscrubbers recirculation feature requires addition of pumps and piping.

Bio trickling filters can be considered as a next-generation solution that the varied industries need for biological odor emission and control.