Tapping Compost Microbes to Eat Air Pollutants, Cut Emissions

Published September 25, 2009

Big-name companies such as Weyerhauser, Toyota and Sherman-Williams are turning to compost microbes to eat air pollutants and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The microbes are used in bio-oxidation systems being deployed across the country in a wide range of industries, including nearly 10 installed during the last 18 months.

Found most often in the wood products and paint and coating businesses, the bio-oxidation systems replace thermal oxidizer equipment typically used to burn off pollutants in manufacturing settings, such as volatile organic compounds and hazardous air pollutants. The compost microbes digest and break down the contaminants.

Thermal oxidizers commonly run on natural gas. The bio-oxidation system, built by Oregon-based Bio-Reaction Industries, runs without natural gas, which trims associated greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent. The related operating costs drop by 90 percent.

Bio-Reaction's Bio-airSPHERES, filled with compost, digest and break down air contaminants.

“On average people can recoup the capital investment in just 12 to18 months in energy and natural gas savings,” Jessica Backlund, Bio-Reaction Industries spokeswoman, told ClimateBiz.com Friday. She added there is future potential to generate carbon credits from the avoided greenhouse gas emissions.

Customers include Toyota, Louisiana-Pacific, Army Corps of Engineers, Delphi, J.M. Huber, International Flavors and Fragrances, and Sierra-Nevada Brewing Co.

“These natural filtration systems really cut down on our carbon emissions,” Bob Olson, engineering director, iLevel Engineered Wood Products division of Weyerhaeuser Co., said in a statement. “Since the system has been up and running, we’ve also been very pleased with the ease and low cost for operation and maintenance.”

An uptick in installations over the last 18 months includes Collins Forest Products, Freres Lumber, Humboldt Flakeboard, Norbord, Roseburg Forest Products, and Temple Inland.

“There has definitely been an increase in interest in our technology,” Backlund said. “It looks bright for the future. There are going to be a lot of projects in the pipeline.”

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Tapping Compost Microbes to Eat Air Pollutants, Cut Emissions

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