Recent Papers in Odours and Volatile Emissions
Content Table
- Effectiveness of masking agents: outcome of a three-year study at pilot and full scales
- H2S, VOC, TOC, electronic noses and odour concentration: use and comparison of different parameters for emission measurement on air treatment systems
- Instrumental characterization of odour: a combination of olfactory and analytical methods
- Design and validation of a wind tunnel system for odour sampling on liquid area sources
- Odour, covering and ventilation
- Needs and perspectives of odour research in the aquatic sciences
- Characterisation of odour masking agents often used in the solid waste industry for odour abatement
- Study of the effect of DMSO on VOS odour production in a wastewater plant
- Aeration tank odour by dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) waste in sewage
- Taste and odour research: a utility's perspective
Effectiveness of masking agents: outcome of a three-year study at pilot and full scales
Water Science & Technology—WST Vol 60 No 1 pp 97–105 © IWA Publishing 2009 doi:10.2166/wst.2009.300
A. Bruchet, V. Decottignies and G. Filippi
CIRSEE—Suez Environment, 38 rue du Président Wilson, 78230 Le Pecq, France E-mail: virginie.decottignies@suez-env.com
Abstract
Commercial products used as masking or neutralizing agents against odour emissions from solid waste activities were investigated both at pilot scale and at three full scale sites. Twenty-six products were first characterized and classified as potential masking or neutralizing agents. Four of the products tested at pilot scale revealed a masking efficiency and a significant decrease of the discomfort index. No evidence of neutralization effect was observed during the field tests.
H2S, VOC, TOC, electronic noses and odour concentration: use and comparison of different parameters for emission measurement on air treatment systems
Water Science & Technology—WST Vol 59 No 9 pp 1721–1726 © IWA Publishing 2009 doi:10.2166/wst.2009.127
W. Franke, F.-B. Frechen and S. Giebel
Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (DESEE), Kassel University, Kurt-Wolters-Str. 3, Kassel 34125, Germany E-mail: W.Franke@uni-kassel.de; frechen@uni-kassel.de; Stefan.Giebel@t-online.de
Abstract
Odour measurement via olfactometry is expensive and has a low accuracy compared with chemical or physical methods. In addition, olfactometry is not suited for online monitoring. Hence, an accurate online method for emission measurement would be an enormous improvement. There are several options to more or less replace the offline olfactometry by online measurement available today. Most common are H2S-concentration as a single gas parameter and VOC and TOC as composite parameters. A fairly new development are multi sensor arrays, usually referred to as “electronic noses” which carry out non-specific gas measurement and deliver measurement data that can visualized as a fingerprint diagram. This paper outlines the use of these different parameters and compares the results to those gained via olfactometry of several case studies.
Instrumental characterization of odour: a combination of olfactory and analytical methods
Water Science & Technology—WST Vol 59 No 8 pp 1603–1609 © IWA Publishing 2009 doi:10.2166/wst.2009.125
T. Zarra, V. Naddeo, V. Belgiorno, M. Reiser and M. Kranert
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Ponte don Melillo 1, Fisciano 84084, (SA), Italy E-mail: tzarra@unisa.it; vnaddeo@unisa.it; v.belgiorno@unisa.it
Department of Civil Engineering, Stuttgart University, Bandtäle 1,2, Stuttgart D-70569, Germany E-mail: martin.reiser@iswa.uni-stuttgart.de; martin.kranert@iswa.uni-stuttgart.de
Abstract
Odour emissions are a major environmental issue in wastewater treatment plants and are considered to be the main cause of disturbance noticed by the exposed population. Odour measurement is carried out using analytical or sensorial methods. Sensorial analysis, being assigned to the “human sensor”, is the cause of a considerable uncertainty. In this study a correlation between analytical and sensorial methods was investigated. A novel tool was used to both define odour indexes and characterise the odour sources and the volatile substances that cause annoyance in a wastewater treatment plant, with the aim to remove the subjective component in the measure of the odours and define the induced impact. The sources and the main chemical substances responsible for the olfactory annoyances were identified. Around 36 different substances were detected, with more than half being smell relevant components as well as responsible. Dimethyl disulphide was identified as key compound. Results highlight the applicability of highly correlation between analytical and sensorial methods in odour emission monitoring.
Design and validation of a wind tunnel system for odour sampling on liquid area sources
Water Science & Technology—WST Vol 59 No 8 pp 1611–1620 © IWA Publishing 2009 doi:10.2166/wst.2009.123
L. Capelli, S. Sironi, R. Del Rosso and P. Céntola
Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, Olfactometric Laboratory, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, Milan 20133, Italy E-mail: laura.capelli@polimi.it; selena.sironi@polimi.it
Abstract
The aim of this study is to describe the methods adopted for the design and the experimental validation of a wind tunnel, a sampling system suitable for the collection of gaseous samples on passive area sources, which allows to simulate wind action on the surface to be monitored. The first step of the work was the study of the air velocity profiles. The second step of the work consisted in the validation of the sampling system. For this purpose, the odour concentration of some air samples collected by means of the wind tunnel was measured by dynamic olfactometry. The results of the air velocity measurements show that the wind tunnel design features enabled the achievement of a uniform and homogeneous air flow through the hood. Moreover, the laboratory tests showed a very good correspondence between the odour concentration values measured at the wind tunnel outlet and the odour concentration values predicted by the application of a specific volatilization model, based on the Prandtl boundary layer theory. The agreement between experimental and theoretical trends demonstrate that the studied wind tunnel represents a suitable sampling system for the simulation of specific odour emission rates from liquid area sources without outward flow.
Odour, covering and ventilation
Water Science & Technology—WST Vol 59 No 7 pp 1377–1384 © IWA Publishing 2009 doi:10.2166/wst.2009.109
D. Sivil and J. A. Hobson
WRc, Frankland Road, Blagrove, Swindon, Wiltshire SN5 8YF, UK E-mail: david.sivil@wrcplc.co.uk
Abstract
A technique is described based on the decay in concentration of added SF6 to measure L0, the rate of leakage from an enclosure with no extraction of air. It is believed this measurement is much more precise than measurements of E0, the minimum rate of extraction which just prevents leakage. Three out of four enclosures studied had L0 values equating to residence times of air that were well under one hour. Relationships were developed between extraction rate and concentration and emission rate for enclosed odour sources based on mass transfer from water to air. These could be used to assess the benefits of minimising extraction rates while remaining within concentration limits set on the grounds of corrosion or toxicity. From these relationships a critical flow can be identified, termed Q50, at which both the emission rate and concentration of a particular species are at 50% of their maximum value. In any particular system, Q50 for one species, such as H2S, will in general not be the same as for another species, nor for odour concentration. As a consequence the benefit of reducing extraction rates based on H2S may not appear as good as it would based on an assessment of odour concentration. A second consequence is that as the rate of air extraction is varied, the ratio between two species or between H2S and odour concentration, is likely to vary.
Needs and perspectives of odour research in the aquatic sciences
Water Science & Technology Vol 55 No 5 pp 367–369 © IWA Publishing 2007 doi:10.2166/wst.2007.200
F. Jüttner
Limnological Station, University of Zürich, 8802-Kilchberg, Switzerland (E-mail: juttner@limnol.unizh.ch)
Abstract
Over more than four decades odour research in the aquatic sciences has increasingly focused on cyanobacteria and the common odour-causing compounds, geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol. Success in future research requires a long-term perspective. Key areas for investigation are secondary metabolites and cyanobacteria, regulatory mechanisms for geosmin and other compounds' synthesis; understanding their spatial and temporal distribution (particularly relating to the food web in a habitat); and molecular mechanisms for liberation of geosmin by microorganisms.
Characterisation of odour masking agents often used in the solid waste industry for odour abatement
Water Science & Technology Vol 55 No 5 pp 359–364 © Suez Environment 2007 doi:10.2166/wst.2007.198
V. Decottignies, G. Filippi and A. Bruchet
CIRSEE, Suez Environment, 38 rue du Président Wilson, 78230 Le Pecq, France (E-mail: virginie.decottignies@suez-env.com)
Abstract
Odours from waste management facilities, wastewater treatment plants and composting areas have become a major nuisance issue for operators. In addition to facing regulations which tend to become more stringent, operators are also facing increased public pressure due to complaints from neighbours resulting in the temporary shutdown of such plants, therefore the elimination of atmospheric odours is becoming a major industrial objective. Many commercial odour control products are available on the market, however, very little is known concerning their real efficiency and mechanism of action. This paper will present the results from the study of 19 agents collected in various countries. The products were first characterised both in terms of their chemical composition and sensory properties. Selected products with different modes of application were then submitted to a study of their efficiency at the pilot-scale level. The results from one product test showed no significant difference in their odour removal efficiency as determined by olfactory and chemical analysis of the emission before and after application of the odour control product.
Study of the effect of DMSO on VOS odour production in a wastewater plant
Water Science & Technology Vol 55 No 5 pp 327–333 © IWA Publishing 2007 doi:10.2166/wst.2007.195
X. Cheng, E.D. Peterkin and G.A. Burlingame
Bureau of Laboratory Services, Philadelphia Water Department, 1500 E. Hunting Park Ave. , Philadelphia, PA 19124, USA (E-mail: xianhao.cheng@phila.gov)
Abstract
Odours caused by volatile organic sulphides (VOS) have a history spanning over 20 years for Philadelphia's Northeast Water Pollution Control Plant (NEWPCP). A “canned corn” type of odour has caused residential complaints. Traditional odour control approaches based on hydrogen sulphide failed. This study confirmed that dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) from a chemical facility was the dominant cause of the “canned corn” nuisance odour in the form of dimethyl sulphide (DMS). During a discharge, DMSO concentrations up to 12 mg/L were found in the influent of the NEWPCP. Each DMSO concentration peak induced a DMS peak. DMS concentrations increased from less than 50 mg/L to 6 mg/L with a corresponding decrease in DMSO. Approximately 79% of DMSO from the primary sedimentation influent was passed to the effluent, and to downstream processes, such as the aeration tanks where the DMS was volatilised by the aeration. The DMS partial pressure in ambient air of NEWPCP can be between 0.03 and 0.18 × 10-3 atm during a DMSO discharge. From the above information, the potential of VOS production is estimated and a practical plan for remediation can be designed.
Aeration tank odour by dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) waste in sewage
Water Science & Technology Vol 55 No 5 pp 319–326 © IWA Publishing 2007 doi:10.2166/wst.2007.194
D. Glindemann*, J.T. Novak** and J. Witherspoon***
*Glindemann Environmental Services, Goettinger Bogen 15, 06126 Halle, Germany (E-mail: dglinde@aol.com)
**Virginia Tech, 418 Durham Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
***CH2M Hill, 155 Grand Avenue, Suite 1000, Oakland, CA 94612, USA
Abstract
Sewage plants can experience dimethyl sulphide (DMS) odour problems by at least one mg/L dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) waste residue in plant influent, through a DMSO/DMS reduction mechanism. This bench-scale batch study simulates in bottles the role of poor aeration in wastewater treatment on the DMSO/DMS and sulphate/H2S reduction. The study compares headspace concentrations of sulphide odorants developed by activated sludge (closed bottles, half full) after six hours under anoxic versus anaerobic conditions, with 0 versus 2 mg/L DMSO addition. Anoxic sludge (0.1–2 mg/L dissolved oxygen, DO) with DMSO resulted in about 50 ppmv DMS and no other sulphide, while DMSO-free sludge was free of detectable sulphides. Anaerobic sludge (no measurable DO to the point of sulphate reduction) with DMSO resulted in 22/4/37 ppmv of H2S/methanethiol (MT)/DMS, while DMSO-free sludge resulted in 44/8/2 ppmv of H2S/MT/DMS. It is concluded that common “anoxic” aeration tank zones with measurable DO in bulk water but immeasurable DO inside sludge flocs (nitrate reducing) experience DMSO reduction to DMS that is oxidation resistant and becomes the most important odorant. Under anaerobic conditions, H2S from sulphate reduction becomes an additional important odorant. A strategy is developed that allows operators to determine from the quantity of different sulphides whether the DMSO/DMS mechanism is important at their wastewater plant.
Taste and odour research: a utility's perspective
Water Science & Technology Vol 55 No 5 pp 371–373 © IWA Publishing 2007 doi:10.2166/wst.2007.201
R. Motum
Supervisor, Technical Support Division, Works Dept, Region of Durham, 605 Rossland Road East, Whitby, Ontario L1N 6A3, Canada (E-mail: ron.motum@region.durham.on.ca)
Abstract
Tastes and odours issues constitute not only a rich field for research, but also a major challenge for water utilities. Addressing such problems requires sustained research programmes and the development of long-term proactive control measures; individual water utilities have found this hard to achieve, but collaborative approaches are proving successful. This is highlighted by taste and odours incidents in the 1990s in the Lake Ontario region that led to the formation of the Ontario Water Works Research Consortium. This collaboration of utilities with scientists and technical expertise in universities and government has enabled the linking of resources to a far more extensive programme than individual utilities could conduct, avoiding duplication of work, and providing a central mechanism for effective public outreach.
