Photobioreactor technology for air contaminant removal and biofiltration

Overview

NeoChloris Inc. has developed patented sealed photobioreactor (PBR) systems designed to remove chemicals, odors, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and pathogens from contaminated air streams. The technology introduces polluted air into sealed reactors containing active algae cultures, where contaminants are captured and destroyed through bio-adsorption and cellular metabolism. Pathogens are trapped in the aqueous phase for easy decontamination during reactor blowdown. Compared to traditional vascular plant-based air biofilters, this approach offers greater space and energy efficiency.

Technical specifications

• Sealed photobioreactor design that contains contaminated air streams for controlled biological treatment
• Algae-based bio-adsorption that captures chemicals, odors, and VOCs through cellular metabolism
• Aqueous phase pathogen capture allowing pathogens to be trapped and disinfected during blowdown
• Segregated gas and water treatment streams with patented process design
• Scalable architecture ranging from small laboratory pilots to large-scale floating biofilters
• Applicable to industries including poultry processing, rendering, and other facilities generating odor and pathogen aerosols

Technology readiness level

NeoChloris has demonstrated the technology at large scale through a floating biofilter installation at Gold'n Plump Poultry in Minnesota for odor and pathogen aerosol suppression, with additional biofilters installed for Allwaste in Dallas, Texas. Future validation plans include small-scale proof-of-concept pilot testing at University of Arizona laboratories and larger flow-through pilot testing at client-specified sites, with an estimated one-year study timeline.