Trace contaminants originating from both material off-gassing and human metabolism may cause human safety and welfare issues, when they accumulate in the air of closed manned environments. Biological oxidation is a viable solution for the removal of these contaminants. The Biological Air Filter, BAF, a development of Stork and Bioclear is a continuously operating system, which degrades trace volatile organic contaminants (VOCs) to harmless components, i.e. water and CO2.
The BAF forms an interesting alternative to the existing physical-chemical trace contaminant control systems. This ecological system is low in weight, volume and power consumption. Due to the nature of the system the maintenance requirements are also very limited. The applied microorganisms are harmless and the system is operated at atmospheric pressure, which makes the system extremely safe within the operating environment.
Stork and Bioclear are developing these biological air filters, among others, for use in aircraft. This activity is part of FACE (Friendly Aircraft Cabin Environment) project, an EU project aiming on the improvement of the environmental quality (atmosphere, vibration, noise) aboard an aircraft. VOC control aboard aircraft will not only improve the quality of the cabin atmosphere but enables also to increase the grade of recirculation leading to fuel, which leads to cost reduction.