Apparatus for biological treatment of waste gases

Claim 1

Apparatus for biologically filtering gases containing pollutants, in particular industrial waste gases by a fixed bed type filter material containing a carrier material which has been provided with appropriate micro-organisms which are stationary within the fixed bed on the surface of the carrier material, wherein the gases are initially water saturated prior to their entrance into the filter material by bringing the gases into intimate contact with water in such a manner that the gases contain the quantity of water required for the micro-organism to optimally function the water saturated gases are then directed into the filter material and passed through it, whereby the pollutants in the water saturated gas come in direct contact with the micro-organism on the surface of the carrier material, the apparatus comprising a container including at least a biological fixed bed type filter unit including the fixed bed having a carrier material, a supply conduit for the gases to be treated at the lower side and a discharge for the treated gases at the upper side, characterized in that at least one filter unit is arranged in the container, means for moisturizing with water the gases prior to entry of the gases into the fixed bed including a pretreatment chamber, means for introducing gases to be treated into the pretreatment chamber, means for controlling the temperature of the water for moisturizing the gases, and the fixed bed located downstream of the moisturizing means, means for directing the pretreated gases to the filter unit.