Monsanto Introduces Odor Control System to Food Industry

Last month at the IFT '98 Show in Atlanta, Monsanto Enviro-Chem Systems introduced its Bioton Biological Oxidation System. A new addition to their air pollution control product line, the system is used for the control of odors and volatile organic compounds (VOC) in applications that include flavors and fragrances manufacturing and food processing.

How Biological Oxidation Works

1) A contaminated air stream is ducted and routed to the biofiltration system. The contaminated air stream first enters a humidification vessel and is drawn upward through a plastic packing material. 2) As the air flows upward through the packing, water flows downward over the packing. This countercurrent operation saturates the contaminated air with water vapor. Once saturated, the contaminated air enters the upper chamber 3) of the biological oxidation vessel. The contaminated air passes downward 4) through the biologically active media. As this occurs, the contaminants in the gas stream are transferred to a water film surrounding the biologically active media. Microorganisms present in this water film oxidize the contaminants to innocuous end-products such as CO2, H2O, and common salts. 5) The once contaminated air collects in the bottom of the biological oxidation vessel and exits the vessel. 6) The cleaned air then enters a process blower and is finally discharged to the atmosphere through a small air stack.

According to product manager, Mike McGrath, the long-life, low compaction Bioton media, enclosed design, and automatic moisture addition, set the system apart from other biofilter systems. "The Bioton media has an average life span of 5 years and was engineered to resist compaction, which can be the cause of a variety of performance problems," said McGrath.

Design features include:

• Enclosed vessels to ensure constant climate conditions and optimal performance
• Negative pressure design for indoor or outdoor applications
• Automatic moisture control utilizing load cell technology for proper media moisture content
• Various levels of instrumentation and control packages

Three design options

BIOTON PE Series treating odors from a waste water pumping station

Bioton PE Series

The PE Series is capable of handling process gas flows from 200 cfm to over 2,000 cfm. Features corrosion-resistant HDPE construction. Pre-engineered and shop fabricated.

Bioton Compact is capable of handling process gas flows from 2,000 cfm to over 20,000 cfm. Eight modular, pre-engineered standard designs are available. Epoxy coated, carbon steel construction. Vessels are shipped pre-assembled for fast on-site installation.

The Bioton Sandwich Panel is capable of handling process gas flows from 20,000 cfm to over 200,000 cfm. Multiple media layers reduce overall system footprint. Lightweight construction for rooftop installations. Custom designed, field erected.

Biofiltration offers low maintenance and operating costs and, since chemicals or supplemental fuels are not required, is also environmentally friendly.

The system comes as a pre-designed, shop-fabricated unit or can be customized in concrete or sandwich panel construction. It is available domestically and internationally.

Monsanto Enviro-Chem Systems provides engineering, construction, and proprietary equipment for a variety of industrial processes and environmental systems.

Monsanto Enviro-Chem Systems, Inc. is a wholly owned unit of Monsanto Company

For more information contact Mike McGrath at Monsanto Enviro-Chem Systems, 14522 S. Outer 40 Rd., Chesterfield, MO 63017. Tel: 314-469-8860.