The control of septicity and odours in sewerage systems and at sewage treatment works operated by Anglian Water Services Limited

1995 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 283-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek C. W. Sercombe

The paper gives reasons for and an overview of the septicity and odour control efforts of Anglian Water Services. It outlines the chemicals available and indicates some practical dosages. A comparison is given of types and number of installations and changes which have taken place since 1979. The paper describes an example of bioaugmentation to control hydrogen sulphide formation and the effective use of bioscrubbers and ozone for the treatment of malodorous air. Treatment costs are discussed. It is concluded that our better understanding of the mechanisms involved has led to an increase in the use of nitrate salts. A combination of chemical dosing systems may be necessary to prevent septicity and eliminate malodorous compounds.

2013 ◽  
Vol 68 (12) ◽  
pp. 2527-2533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Kay Camarillo ◽  
William T. Stringfellow ◽  
Jeremy S. Hanlon ◽  
Elizabeth Basha

Controlling odours from sanitary sewer systems is challenging as a result of the expansive nature of these systems. Addition of oxidizing chemicals is often practiced as a mitigation strategy. One alternative is to remove odorous compounds in the gases vented from manholes using adsorptive media. In this study, odour control devices located at manholes were observed to determine the ability of these systems to reduce hydrogen sulphide from vented gases. The odour control devices incorporated pressure regulation to control gas flow out of manhole covers and adsorptive media to remove hydrogen sulphide in the vented gases prior to release. Pressure regulation was accomplished using a variable volume bladder and two pressure relief valves that permitted gas flow when pressures exceeded 1.3 to 2.5 cm water column. The reduction in gas flow vented from manholes was intended to extend the service life of the adsorptive media, as compared with odour control devices that do not incorporate pressure modulation. Devices were deployed at four locations and three adsorptive media were tested. Although measured collection system hydrogen sulphide concentrations varied from zero to over 1,000 ppm, the removal rates observed using odour control devices were typically above 90%. The lower removal rates observed at one of the sites (50.5 ± 36.1%) appeared related to high gas flow rates being emitted at this location. Activated carbon was used in most of the tests, although use of iron media resulted in the highest removal observed: 97.8 ± 3.6%. The expected service life of the adsorptive media contained within the odour control devices is a function of site-specific hydrogen sulphide concentrations and gas flow rates. The units used in this study were in service for more than 8 to 12 months prior to requiring media replacement.


2020 ◽  
pp. 0734242X2096022
Author(s):  
Jun Jiang ◽  
Fei Wang ◽  
Jun Wang ◽  
Jianhua Li

This study examined the release characteristics of malodorous ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S) gases in different areas of a full-capacity operational landfill in Hangzhou, China. Gas samples were collected using static boxes from exposed working areas (EWAs), temporarily covered areas (TCAs), and final closure areas (FCAs), and were analysed using spectrophotometric methods. Gas release increased in the following order: TCA > EWA > FCA. The average concentrations of released NH3 in these areas were 2763, 1171, and 27 mg m−3, respectively, and those of H2S were 2481, 631, and 10 mg m−3, respectively. The concentrations of gases released from holes in the film in the temporarily covered and EWAs were significantly higher than the AEGL-3 level values specified by the Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGL) Advisory Committee. EWAs were identified as key for odour control, where the highest NH3 release was recorded at approximately 12:00. The diurnal variation in H2S release was insignificant ( p > 0.05). Therefore, the study shows that working in EWAs should be avoided at approximately noon. Adverse impacts on human health can be reduced by standardising procedures, using higher-quality films, and improving film installation procedures. The results of this study serve as a valuable reference for odour control in operational landfills.


2000 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 33-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Gostelow ◽  
S. A. Parsons

Public concern over odours from sewage treatment works is increasing. More people are being exposed to odours, due to development around existing works or the construction of new works. Raised awareness of both the environment and individual rights has meant people are now more likely to complain. Odourabatement and control is a major issue for sewage works operators. To control odours, they must first be measured. This is no easy task as response to odours is subjective and our understanding of the sense of smell is incomplete. In assessing an odour nuisance, odour formation, emission, dispersion and perception must be considered. There is no single measure that is suitable for this purpose. Odour measurements fall into two classes. Analytical measurements characterise odours in terms of their chemical composition and are more suited to formation, emission and dispersion models. Unfortunately, they tell us little about the perceived effect of the odour. Sensory measurements employ the human nose and characterise odours in terms of their perceived effect. A link between analytical and sensory measurements is clearly needed. In this paper data collected from odour surveys at 17 different wastewater treatment sites are evaluated to explore possibilities for linking analytical and sensory measures. The relationship between hydrogen sulphide concentration and odour concentration as measured by threshold olfactometry is explored. Correlations suggest power-law relationships between hydrogen sulphide and odour concentration, with r2 values as high as 0.69. This paper will assess the use of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and olfactometry measurements for a range of unit operations and abatement technologies.


2019 ◽  
Vol 100 ◽  
pp. 00024
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Grzelka ◽  
Elżbieta Romanik ◽  
Urszula Miller

Odour nuisance generated by food industry objects is a significant problem, the result of which is often numerous complaints from local residents about the quality of air. Apart from the production process, this problem often concerns industrial wastewater treatment processes, which contribute to a large extent to the emissions of odorants from the sulphur group, including hydrogen sulphide and mercaptans. In order to estimate the odorous air quality around these types of objects, the modelling of dispersion of pollutants: odours or odorants is often used. The paper presents the results of tests on odour emission as well as hydrogen sulphide and mercaptans emission as compounds typical for waste gases from the sewage treatment process from the food industry. In order to estimate the range of odour impact, model calculations using the Polish reference model for the aforementioned substances were made. The values of annual average concentrations and frequency of odour detection thresholds for odorants and odour concentration of 1 ouE/m3 for odours as a mixture in a computational grid of 1400 m x 1400 m with a step of 50 m were calculated. The results showed the highest range of odour impact of mercaptans, whose value of the average annual concentration exceeded the odour detection threshold up to 700 m in the east and west direction from the emission source.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernice Mawumenyo Senanu ◽  
Patrick Boakye ◽  
Sampson Oduro-Kwarteng ◽  
Divine Damertey Sewu ◽  
Esi Awuah ◽  
...  

AbstractOn-site dry sanitation facilities, although cheaper than wet sanitation systems, suffer from high malodour and insect nuisance as well as poor aesthetics. The high odour deters users from utilizing dry sanitation toilets as an improved facility leading to over 20% open defecation in Sub-Saharan Africa. To address this malodour concern, this study first assessed odour levels, using hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and ammonia (NH3) as indicators, on two dry sanitation facilities named T1 and T2. The potential of using biomass (sawdust, rice husk, moringa leaves, neem seeds), ash (coconut husk, cocoa husk) or biochar (sawdust, rice husk, bamboo) as biocovers to remove or suppress odour from fresh faecal sludge (FS) over a 12-day period was investigated. Results showed that the odour levels for H2S in both T1 (3.17 ppm) and T2 (0.22 ppm) were above the threshold limit of 0.05 ppm, for unpleasantness in humans and vice versa for NH3 odour levels (T1 = 6.88 ppm; T2 = 3.16 ppm; threshold limit = 30 ppm limit). The biomasses exhibited low pH (acidic = 5–7) whereas the biochars and ashes had higher pHs (basic = 8–13). Basic biocovers were more effective at H2S emission reduction (80.9% to 96.2%) than acidic biocovers. The effect of pH on suppression of NH3 was determined to be statistically insignificant at 95% confidence limit. In terms of H2S and NH3 removal, sawdust biochar was the most effective biocover with odour abatement values of 96.2% and 74.7%, respectively. The results suggest that biochar produced from locally available waste plant-based materials, like sawdust, can serve as a cost-effective and sustainable way to effectively combat odour-related issues associated with dry sanitation facilities to help stop open defecation.


2000 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. S. Manning ◽  
J. A. Jeavons

Odour pollution is traditionally categorised as a public health issue, controlledv, ia statutory legislation with the emphasis on control rather than prevention. As society demands a higher quality environment, odour pollution increases in importance as an amenity issue. Planning authorities can refuse planning permission on the grounds that the odour nuisance from the proposed development will be detrimental to the amenity of the area. Planningauthorities are therefore in the unique position of being able to prevent odour pollution. Potential odour polluters are under increasing pressure to demonstrate to planning authorities that odour has been minimised as far as possible. The communication of technical odour control data and assessments, through mechanisms such as Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), is becoming an important part of the decision making process. The lack of specific odour policy and guidance within the planning arena is highlighted. The reconstruction of Derby Sewage Treatment works (STW) is used a a case study to highlight how a technical assessment of odour emissions, using the WRc Sewage Treatment Odour Production (STOP) Model can be successfully used within the planning arena to achieve planning permission with no additional conditions.


2000 ◽  
Vol 41 (9) ◽  
pp. 227-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Jeavons ◽  
P. Hodgson ◽  
J. Upton

Severn Trent Water Ltd. has reviewed the performance of its existing odour control technology and conducted trials with new technology. Processes were then selected for a costing exercise for air flow rates and odour concentrations typically found at sewage treatment works. The most cost effective processes for various applications are outlined.


Author(s):  
T. C. Prathna ◽  
Ankit Srivastava

Abstract This study was about the feasibility of using ferric chloride as an agent for odour control in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) due to hydrogen sulphide emission. Total inlet sulphide concentrations at 11 WWTPs in Delhi were measured and ranged between 1.1 and 14.8 mg/L. Wastewater samples from Najafgarh drain were used in jar tests to estimate the ferric chloride concentration required to obtain acceptable treatment. Ferric chloride was effective in removing sulphide, phosphate and total suspended solids (TSS), and gave significant biological oxygen demand (BOD) reduction. It was ineffective, however, in removing ammoniacal-nitrogen. A dose of 40 mg/L removed 76% of total sulphide, which corresponds to a significant reduction in hydrogen sulphide emission. The study demonstrated that ferric chloride can be used as a cost-effective pre-treatment step in WWTPs to reduce sulphur-related odours significantly, as well as TSS, BOD and phosphate from wastewater.


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