In the end, PPC Biofilter, Longview, TX, turned out to have the experience that Serigraph was looking for. To make sure that PPC's system would meet its needs, Serigraph installed a small pilot biofilter in one of its existing operations. Construction on the new plant began in 1996, and at press time, the facility was expected to be completed in April 1997. However, the company was awarded a demonstration grant by the Wisconsin Department of Development that helped offset some of the biofilter expenses. Serigraph designed its plant to optimize the benefits of the biofilter.
All printing is done in an enclosed area, rather than in various departments.
A blower system draws the air from the printing area into the facility's dryers, where it serves as a fresh air supply. The air then picks up additional VOCs from the drying process and continues to the biofilter, where the bacteria break down the VOCs. The filtered air is then exhausted out of the building. Serigraph's biofilter is housed in an annex to the main facility. Sharing success As a pioneer of biofiltration in the printing industry, Serigraph is in a unique position to introduce the technology to other screen printers, as well as any other businesses with similar VOC problems.