Vince Pitocco

#805-548-617
Elizabeth Jones
Comm 213, Y2
October 30, 2008
Biofilter

A biofilter is a technology that uses the natural ability of plants to filter and clean air in

buildings. A biofilter consists of a wall of plants and water designed specifically for the

purification of the indoor air. Biofilters are beneficial in any high traffic building as they help to

reduce the accumulation of harmful contaminants. They work by cooling indoor air or adding

humidity to the air, in the summer and winter respectively, cutting down on a buildings energy

costs. Alan Darlington developer and early researcher helped build a biofilter in the Canada Life

Building, in the mid 1990s, which is located in Toronto.

What components make up a Biofilter?

A biofilter is a vertical wall of plants designed to filter and purify toxins from the air. A biofilter

consists of two layers of a porous synthetic material, in the form of a panel that is attached to the

front of a concrete or metal frame. Thick loosely-woven plastic, approximately 3 centimeters (1

inch) thick is screwed onto the front of the wall in sections. Plants are inserted into gaps cut in

the top layer of material, and are held in place by growing roots. The plants are grown

hydroponically (without soil), and water gathers in a reservoir located horizontally at the base of

the wall which then re-circulates by a pump to the plants roots.

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 How does a Biofilter operate?

A biofilter absorbs and breaks down toxins in the air by taking advantage of a plant’s natural

ability to filter. Air in buildings can contain multiple contaminants such as formaldehyde,

benzene, toluene, and trichloroethylene. Traditionally air was brought into buildings

mechanically to flush out VOCs (carbon containing chemicals which create fumes harmful to

one’s health), but the use of biofilters cleans the existing air and harmful contaminants are

removed. A biofilter operates on the principle of one square meter of biofilter to 100 square

meters of floor space and requires a sufficient amount of ultraviolet light to survive. As the air

surrounding a biofilter travels through the plants, the contaminants are first captured by the water

and microbes on the plants roots and then break down the VOCs, resulting in cleaner indoor air.

The water is recycled and nutrients are added occasionally, however, this system needs to be

drained monthly. Additional ducts can be added to direct air to and from the biofilter.

The living wall

A biofilter has been constructed in the University Of Guelph-Humber and this biofilter is

currently the largest in the world. The 30’x55’ living wall was designed to replace a majority of

the air that is traditionally brought in from outdoors by mechanical means. The use of the

biofilter system has eliminated the need to filter or warm and cool the outside air, and has earned

a four-green leaf rating from the Green Leaf Eco-Rating Program. The wall gives engineering

students an opportunity to study the technology up close and creates a place for faculty and

students to enjoy.