Exeon’s airo-flo™ is a containerised biofiltration system designed to remove odours, gases and air emissions from sewage treatment, waste handling and industrial processes.
The system uses specially cultivated bacteria selected for the specific application, helping to break down odorous compounds and improve air quality.
Exeon also offers the airo-flo-EC™ open-top biofilter range, which is suitable for larger or more demanding odour control applications.
The airo-flo™ system uses fans to extract contaminated air from a vessel, tank, building or process area and draw it through the biofilter system.
The air first passes through a high-capacity dust filter, which helps remove dust and particulates from the air stream before biological treatment begins.
These dust filters are individually sealed and can be accessed through a service door for straightforward maintenance.
The filtered air is then evenly distributed across the base of the system before being drawn upwards through the pumice stone biofilter bed.
A treatment liquid is introduced from above using an overlapping irrigation system, helping keep the full biofilter bed evenly saturated and preventing dry areas where odours could bypass treatment.
As the contaminated air passes through the biofilter media, naturally occurring bacteria break down odorous gases and emissions before the cleaned air is discharged through the stack.
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CHALLENGE
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ISSUE WITH APPLICATION OF BIOFILTER
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SOLUTION
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Stringent control of odours or emissions on the process - <1000ou/m3 for example
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Biofilters are less efficient than other technologies so will not necessarily reach this level of control. In addition, they release a mild odour from the media bed.
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A secondary filter, such as a secondary carbon polishing filter, can be required for additional filtration.
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Emmission contaminant contains chemicals which kill biofilm
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Biofilters have a ‘living’ media bed and are not suited to substances which are poisonous, or inorganic chemicals.
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Use alternative abatement technology for these applications
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Woodchip or other short-life material used on media bed
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Biofiltering is an active process and degenerates beds such as woodchip. Typically woodchip will last around 12 months.
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Use Pumice stone or Coir.
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Open Top biofilter
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These have multiple issues as detailed below but the largest problem is the protection of the bed.
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Open-top biofilters do not maintain performance and should be covered to protect from weather,
animals etc.
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Inadequate irrigation
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A biofilter should have irrigation covering the complete surface / overlapping. Open top biofilters do not have this so typically struggle with dry areas of the bed and subsequent emission bypass.
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Used close top biofilters with correct overlapping irrigation
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Incorrect distribution of air across the bed causing tracking
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If the airflow is not spread correctly across the bed, the air will not have sufficient contact time on the media bed to remove emissions.
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The air should be ducted across the filter media bed for correct distribution to ensure correct dwell times.
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Poor ongoing maintenance, sometimes due to systems that are very difficult to service
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Design of unit, and operator neglect.
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Ensure good access, and that specified maintenance regime is maintained. Good supplier training is vital.
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Biofilter odour control is an environmentally responsible way to treat odours and air emissions from industrial, sewage and waste treatment processes.
The system works by passing contaminated air through a media bed containing specially selected microorganisms. These bacteria feed on odorous compounds, breaking them down into less harmful by-products such as water, carbon dioxide and mineral salts.
Biofilters are commonly used to treat odours caused by hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, mercaptans and other volatile organic compounds. This makes them a reliable option for sites where odour control, air pollution management and environmental compliance are important.
Sewage treatment works, waste facilities and industrial sites can produce strong and unpleasant odours. If these emissions are not controlled, they can affect employees, nearby communities and the surrounding environment.
Biofilter systems help control odours at source by treating contaminated air before it is released. They can also help businesses meet environmental regulations, reduce complaints and improve site conditions.
Because biofiltration uses biological treatment rather than relying entirely on chemical processes, it can also provide a sustainable and cost-effective approach to long-term odour control.
Biofilter odour control systems are used across a wide range of sectors where odours and emissions need to be controlled.
Common applications include sewage treatment works, wastewater treatment plants, sludge handling facilities, waste management sites, food processing facilities, composting operations, agricultural sites, chemical manufacturing and pharmaceutical production.
In these environments, biofilters can help remove organic odours, hydrogen sulphide, ammonia and other airborne contaminants from process air.
At Exeon, our modular biofilter systems are designed around the needs of each site, giving businesses a flexible and scalable solution for industrial odour control and air emission treatment.
Biofilters are particularly effective in environments where odours are continuous, concentrated or difficult to manage.
Wastewater treatment plants, sewage works, sludge processing facilities and waste handling sites often benefit from biological odour control because these environments commonly produce hydrogen sulphide, ammonia and other odorous gases.
Industrial facilities that release VOCs, chemical vapours or process emissions can also benefit from biofilter systems, especially where a reliable and environmentally responsible air treatment solution is required.
Agricultural sites, composting facilities and livestock operations may also use biofilters to reduce nuisance odours and support environmental compliance.
At Exeon, we are committed to making cleaner air a reality for the industrial sector. Our bio filter systems, including the innovative airo-flo technology, provide robust solutions for air and water odour control. Whether you’re looking to install a new biofilter or upgrade an existing system, we’re here to help. Contact us today by either ringing 01462 410010 or emailing at sales@exeon.co.uk to discuss how our biofilters can improve your facility’s environmental footprint. Let Exeon be your partner in sustainable odour control.
With capacities ranging from 1,000 to 150,000 m³/hr, the airo-flo-EC™ is modular in design, making it suitable for both smaller sites and large industrial operations.
Units can be combined or tailored to meet specific site requirements.
Each system uses specially cultivated bacterial cultures chosen for their ability to break down specific contaminants.
This helps deliver reliable performance, efficient odour removal and long-term stability across a wide range of applications.
The airo-flo-EC™ excels in treating air streams with high moisture content and elevated concentrations of hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), mercaptans, and other volatile waste emissions.
This makes it an ideal solution for challenging environments such as:
• Buffer tank venting
• Sludge handling facilities
• Sewage vessel venting
• Proven odour and emission reduction
• Suitable for sewage, waste and industrial applications
• Environmentally responsible biological treatment
• Flexible, modular installation
• Scalable capacity from 1,000 to 150,000 m³/hr
• Designed for long-term, low-maintenance performance
• Effective treatment of hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, mercaptans and VOCs
