BIOWALL: A PLANT AND MICROBIAL

BASED AIR PURIFICATION SYSTEM

Contents
Introduction
Working Principle of Biowalls
Functions of Biowalls
Effects of Biowall on Various Factors
Inspection and Maintenance
Advantages and Disadvantages
Conclusions
References

Introduction
Research has shown that an estimated 80% of an urbandwellers time is spent indoors, hence it is essential for
buildings to provide a high quality air supply in order to ensure
the physical well-being of occupants.
One of the major contaminants of indoor air is a class of
chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Examples: formaldehyde, benzene, toluene etc.,
Accumulation of VOCs in the air even in small amounts can
cause acute and chronic health problems.
Sources of indoor VOCs include; adhesives, textiles, Cleaning
agents, Paint, hair spray and perfuming agents etc.,

 To improve the indoor air quality and reduce operating costs,

many researchers are developing novel methods to purify the air
without increasing air exchange through the HVAC.
Bio-walls or living walls are a relatively new technology for
improving the indoor air quality.
Biowall is a vegetated wall composed of a variety of plant
species and microorganisms that live in their roots that
naturally filters air and removes several harmful pollutants
These walls are covered by plants which do not root in the
ground, yet root in soil or mats suspended on the wall itself, and
there is a plant watering system to supply fluid and nutrients to
the plant.

Classification of Biowalls
Based on application method:
Continuous system

Geotextile felts

Biowalls
Modular system

Trays, Vessels, Planter

tiles, flexible bags

Based on biofiltration intensity:

Passive biowall
Biowall
Active biowall

Continuous systems

Modular systems

Working Principle of Biowalls

Biofiltration and phytoremediation concepts can be adapted to
explain the mechanisms of air purification in biowalls.
In biofiltration process gaseous pollutants are absorbed into a
liquid phase and are consumed by microbes and utilized as
food or energy sources thus converted to metabolic end
products (CO2 and water).
Biofilters are comprised of a bed of media which provides
nutrients thereby supports the growth of microorganisms, and
becomes the surface for the formation of biofilms.
In phytoremediation, instead of microorganisms degrading the
organic compounds, plants degrade or eliminate toxic
compounds from the environment.

Mechanisms involved in Biowall

 The biological system of a biowall is maintained by a drip

irrigation system which is installed on top of the biowall.
Water and added nutrients flows down and soak the growth
medium and plant roots.
Excess water that pools at the bottom then recirculates back to the
top of the wall by means of a pump.
The passive system of Biofiltration purifies the indoor air through
convective forces.
Where as in an active system fans draw polluted air through the
biowall's growing medium. The plants roots trap harmful VOCs,
which microbes may use as a source of energy. The building's
HVAC system then circulates newly filtered air throughout indoor
areas.

Schematic of a Biowall

Plants on Biowall
Each wall has a different plant profile depending upon its
exposure and the local environmental conditions.
Some of the plants suitable for biowalls are

Dragon Plant

Rubber Plant

Spider plant

Philodendron

Functions of Biowalls
Biowalls are found most often in urban environment where
the plants reduce overall temperatures of the building.
Biowalls may also be a means for water reuse.
The living wall could also function for urban agriculture,
urban gardening, or for its beauty as art.
Following

in

the

current

trend

to

move

towards

environmentally friendlier practices, they are now commonly

found in university campuses, office spaces, hospitals and
recently even in places of worship.

PNC Bank
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.
Typical wall temperature
fluctuation: 10-60C
Biowall temperature fluctuation:
5-30C

Biowalls at Gutman Library,

Harvard Graduate School of
Education.

Changi General Hospital, Singapore

GLTi Food Factory Rochester New York

Westin Starwood, Corporate Office, White

Plains New York

Effects of Biowall on Various Factors

Carbon Dioxide and Oxygen Levels
Plants absorb CO2 only for the purpose of their growth.
Therefore, the amount of carbon reduced in the environment is
directly proportional to the rate at which they grow.
Volatile Organic Compounds Levels
Biowalls can have a positive effect by reducing the indoor
volatile organic compound levels and the main mechanism for
VOC degradation was through the microorganisms living in the
root of the plants.
To increase the removal of VOCs by the biowall, it is
recommended that the biowall operate with a low air intake
velocity and a low operating temperature (20C).

Humidity and Particulate Levels

By passing the air through the biowall the air increases its water
vapor content towards higher percentage humidity relative to its
temperature.
water flowing down the biowall can also act as a particulate
scrubber which removes some dust in the air.
increasing the humidity levels in air greater than 65% can, under
certain conditions, result in mold.
Psychological Effects
One of the most commonly sited benefits of having plants in the
workplace is the apparent effect that they have on increasing
worker productivity and reduced stress levels.

Energy
Theoretically, the use of a biowall as a method of cleaning
indoor air in conjunction with the standard HVAC system in
buildings can lead to potential energy savings.
Biowalls also consume some energy for the water pumps and
lighting, these combined requirements are small, totaling
approximately 0.005 KW per building occupant.
Airborne Diseases , Allergies and Insects
Biowall provides favourable conditions for insects and microbial
contaminants such as viruses, fungi, mold, bacteria etc., When
exposed to these contaminants, some people may suffer allergic
reactions or chills, fever, muscle ache, headache, cough, sore
throat and nausea. However with proper care and maintenance of
the biowall above problems can be reduced.

Inspection And Maintenance

Loose-growth media should be replaced regularly.

Artificial lighting should supplement indoor systems that do not

receive sufficient sunlight.
Irrigation systems should achieve maximum efficiency by
timing the watering cycles appropriately.
The system should be drained regularly so as to avoid the
growth of mold.
A backup water supply should provide irrigation in case of a
power failure.
Indoor systems should employ plants that do not release
excessive pollen.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages of Biowalls
Performs natural biofiltration and decrease the incidence of Sick
Building Syndrome.
Reduces the need for indoor heating and cooling, which saves
energy and money
Vegetation on exterior walls protects buildings from harmful
acid rain and UV rays.
Prevents excessive expansion and contraction of buildings, as it
minimizes temperature fluctuations.
Water moving through vegetation on a vertical plane is less
likely to evaporate than water moving on a horizontal plane.
Active biowalls may remediate hazardous pollutants that some
mechanical filtering systems cannot.

Disadvantages of Biowalls
Biowalls may be costly to implement, especially when
traditional air-filtration systems are also required.
Biowalls are ecosystems and, as such, may attract unwanted
insects and pests.
Roots penetrating into wall structures may be a hazard in
systems that are not planned properly.
Mold or damage to a biowall may be a problem in systems
that do not drain properly.
Greywater that is improperly handled poses a human health
hazard.

Conclusions
Biowalls is emerging as a promising technology for improving
the indoor air quality.
They have many physical and psychological benefits in
various indoor environments such as university buildings,
office setting, Home, Hospitals etc.
They can reduce the levels of specific VOCs which have been
identified as particularly harmful to humans (such as toluene,
ethyl benzene etc).

 Many studies have proven a link to plants and their

psychological benefits including increases in productivity and
decreases in stress levels.
Biowall is also an attractive and tangible display of ones efforts
to integrate green technologies into the building environment.
Research is needed on minimizing the disadvantages associated
with biowall.
In general the biowall concept saves energy, makes the
environment healthier, provides a calming ambiance, and it is
simple and natural.

References
Maria

Manso,

Green

wall

systems:

A review

of

their

characteristics journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy - 2015

Osama Alraddadi, Plant-Assisted Air-Conditioning Systems for A
Better Tomorrow, IEEE article 2015
Kevin L. Rodgers, Can Plants Save Money: A Look At The
Biowall, International High Performance Buildings Conference 2012
Nick Gromicko, Biowall Inspection, Internet article, International
Association of Certified Home Inspectors. www.nachi.org.

Thank you