Biological Treatments for VOC-Contaminated Off-Gas: Advances, Challenges, and Energetic Valorization Opportunities

João R. Silva (), Rosa M. Quinta-Ferreira and Luís M. Castro
Additional contact information
João R. Silva: Polytechnic University of Coimbra, Rua da Misericórdia, Lagar dos Cortiços, S. Martinho do Bispo, 3045-093 Coimbra, Portugal
Rosa M. Quinta-Ferreira: University of Coimbra, CERES, Department of Chemical Engineering, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal
Luís M. Castro: Polytechnic University of Coimbra, Rua da Misericórdia, Lagar dos Cortiços, S. Martinho do Bispo, 3045-093 Coimbra, Portugal

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 11, 1-51

Abstract: Volatile organic compounds (VOC) are major contributors to the burgeoning air pollution issue, predominantly from industrial areas, with well-documented environmental and health risks, which demand efficient and sustainable control policies. This review analyzes the current technological challenges and investigates recent developments in biological treatment technologies for VOC-contaminated off-gases, including biofilters, biotrickling filters, and bioscrubber, as well as emerging technologies, such as bioaugmentation and microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Operational performance, economic feasibility, and adaptability to various industrial applications are assessed, alongside opportunities for integration with other technologies, including energy recovery technologies. Biological systems offer considerable advantages regarding cost savings and lower environmental impacts and enhanced operational flexibility, particularly when combined with innovative materials and microbial optimization techniques. Nevertheless, challenges persist, such as choosing the best treatment settings suited to different VOC streams and addressing biofilm control concerns and scalability. Overall, biological VOC treatments are encouraging sustainable solutions, though continued research into reactor design, microbial dynamics, and MFC-based energetic valorization is essential for broader industrial application. These insights cover advancements and highlight the continuous need for innovative prowess to forge sustainable VOC pollution control.

Keywords: volatile organic compounds; waste gas treatment; biological treatments; volatile organic compound emissions; volatile-organic-compound-contaminated wastewater; microbial fuel cells; waste gas; gas pollution control; air pollution; bioreactors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/11/4802/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/11/4802/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:11:p:4802-:d:1662808

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().