Patent ID: 8070855
Filing Date: 2011-12-06
Classification: F04B

Abstract:
1. A method for reducing emissions to the atmosphere of a volatile organic compound (“VOC”) from a source of the VOC, wherein the source of the VOC is selected from equipment for pumping, storing, handling, or transporting a VOC-containing fluid, wherein the VOC outgases from the VOC-containing fluid, and wherein the method comprises the steps of: (A) operatively positioning a VOC-absorbing material between the source of the VOC and the atmosphere, wherein the VOC-containing fluid remains in the equipment, wherein the VOC from the source of the VOC must pass through the VOC-absorbing material before being vented to the atmosphere, and wherein the VOC-absorbing material comprises: (i) a permeable substrate; and (ii) a stripper for the VOC; (B) exposing the stripper of the VOC-absorbing material to bacteria, wherein the bacteria is selected for being capable of converting the VOC to another compound, and wherein the bacterial degradation does not destroy or consume the VOC stripper; and (C) re-using the stripper in a VOC-absorbing material.