A review of sulfide emissions in sewer networks: overall approach and systemic modelling

The problems related to hydrogen sulfide in terms of deterioration of sewer networks, toxicity and odor nuisance have become very clear to the network stakeholders and the public. The hydraulic and (bio)chemical phenomena and parameters controlling sulfide formation, emission and their incidences in sewer networks are very complex. Recent research studies have been developed in gravity and pressure sewers and some transfer models have been published. Nevertheless, the models do not take into account all the physical phenomena influencing the emission process. After summing up the main scientific knowledge concerning the production, oxidation, transfer and emission processes, the present review includes: (i) a synthetic analysis of sulfide and hydrogen sulfide emission models in sewer networks, (ii) an estimation of their limit, (iii) perspectives to improve the modelling approach. It shows that sulfide formation and uptake models still need refinements especially for some phenomena such as liquid to gas mass transfer. Transfer models that have been published so far are purposely simplified and valid for simple systems. More efforts have to be undertaken in order to better understand the mechanisms and the dynamics of hydrogen sulfide production and emission in real conditions.

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Introducing the emission process of hydrogen sulfide to a sewer process model (WATS)

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2003.0227 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 47 (4) ◽

pp. 85-92 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

C. Yongsiri ◽

T. Hvitved-Jacobsen ◽

J. Vollertsen ◽

N. Tanaka

Keyword(s):

Hydrogen Sulfide ◽

Process Model ◽

Molecular Form ◽

Engineering Application ◽

Sulfur Cycle ◽

Extended Model ◽

Water Interface ◽

Emission Process ◽

Air Water Interface ◽

Sewer Networks

Emission of hydrogen sulfide in sewer networks results in odor, health and corrosion problems. These problems generally occur when wastewater is transported under anaerobic and turbulent conditions. Studies on integrated aerobic/anaerobic processes in sewers have led to a conceptual sewer process model, WATS (Wastewater Aerobic/anaerobic Transformations in Sewers). The WATS model accounts for the carbon cycle, reaeration and sulfide formation. However, to handle odor, health and corrosion problems more efficiently, other aspects of the sulfur cycle need to be included. Emphasis in this study is on an extension of the WATS model in terms of hydrogen sulfide emission. A fundamental concept of this extended model is related to emission of the molecular form of hydrogen sulfide and thereby to pH of wastewater. An engineering application of the extended WATS model includes different scenarios of sewer performance concerning hydrogen sulfide emission under dissolved oxygen-limited conditions. By applying the extended WATS model, users can more realistically cope with the fate of hydrogen sulfide. Consequently, when dealing with the sulfur cycle, users need no longer be restricted to the sulfide formation process but can also take transfer of hydrogen sulfide across the air-water interface into account.

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