A Comparative Analysis of Odour Treatment Technologies in Wastewater Treatment Plants

Abstract

Biofiltration, activated sludge diffusion, biotrickling filtration, chemical scrubbing, activated carbon adsorption, regenerative incineration, and a hybrid technology (biotrickling filtration coupled with carbon adsorption) are comparatively evaluated in terms of environmental performance, process economics, and social impact by using the IChemE Sustainability Metrics in the context of odor treatment from wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). This comparative analysis showed that physical/chemical technologies presented higher environmental impacts than their biological counterparts in terms of energy, material and reagents consumption, and hazardous-waste production. Among biological techniques, the main impact was caused by the high water consumption to maintain biological activity (although the use of secondary effluent water can reduce both this environmental impact and operating costs), biofiltration additionally exhibiting high land and material requirements. From a process economics viewpoint, technologies with the highest investments presented the lowest operating costs (biofiltration and biotrickling filtration), which suggested that the Net Present Value should be used as selection criterion. In addition, a significant effect of the economy of scale on the investment costs and odorant concentration on operating cost was observed. The social benefits derived from odor abatement were linked to nuisance reductions in the nearby population and improvements in occupational health within the WWTP, with the hybrid technology exhibiting the highest benefits. On the basis of their low environmental impact, high deodorization performance, and low Net Present Value, biotrickling filtration and AS diffusion emerged as the most promising technologies for odor treatment in WWTP.

Use of Biological Methods For Removal of H2S From Biogas In Wastewater Treatment Plants – A Review

“…Odour treatment technologies are classified into three categories: chemical (thermal oxidation, catalytic oxidation, ozonation), physical (condensation, adsorption, absorption) and biological (using biofilters, biotrickling filters, bioscrubbers, activated sludge) [14]. The main advantages of physical and chemical technologies are their low empty bed residence time (EBRT), extensive experience in design and operation, and rapid startup [15]. Physical technologies are applied for waste gas streams where the flow and pollutant concentration are high.…”

Design of Biofilter Odor Removal System for Conventional Wastewater Treatment Plant

“…Where the smells emitted from the sewage treatment plant are concentrated in the inlet of a screw pumping station, screening station, aerated grit chamber and parshall flume inlet, the preferred technical and environmental solution is to cover these systems technically using a GRP cover with the air withdrawn through effective biological filters (Estrada et al, 2011). The aim of this study is to describe the selection and design of the air treatment units for odor removal from selected areas of the AlNasiriyah wastewater treatment plant (NWWTP).…”

Characterization and Treatment of Odorous Food Fermentation Process Emissions via Pilot-Scale Biofilter

“…) [11], [12]. Apart from other biological treatment technologies, biofilters offer advantages due to their high flowrate waste gas treatment capacities over other technology alternatives.…”