A systematic study on the VOCs characterization and odour emissions in a full-scale sewage sludge composting plant

González, Daniel; Colón, Joan; Sánchez, Antoni; Gabriel, David

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.03.131

Cited by 58 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Sulphur, ammonia, and fecal odors indicate microbiological degradation; in the case of dewatered and stored biosolids with high solid content, emissions are affected by upstream digestion, dewatering, and storage [57]. Odor concentration values from points located on piles of dewatered sludge were between 557 and 5091 ou/m 3 [21]. These values depend on the storage time-the early active phase and turning showed the highest odor emission rates [58], whereas in this study, values from 2 to 549 ou/m 3 were found in the immediate vicinity of the piles.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite their beneficial contribution to environmental protection, municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are among potential emission sources of atmospheric pollutants [20]. European countries produce more than 3.5 million Mg of sewage sludge during the treatment of urban wastewater [21], which must be treated to minimize its negative environmental impacts. According to European regulations, management methods involving solid waste storage are now being replaced by methods leading to waste stabilization and safe recycling [22].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessment of the Effects of Wastewater Treatment Plant Modernization by Means of the Field Olfactometry Method

Kulig

Szyłak-Szydłowski

2019

Water

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Methodological aspects of odor studies in ex-post analyses for Polish wastewater management facilities were analyzed based on the example of a modernized and enlarged wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Mazovia, in the vicinity of the Warsaw agglomeration. It is a mechanical–biological treatment plant with increased efficiency of biogen removal, using activated sludge in the treatment process, with a maximum hydraulic capacity of 60,000 m3/day. Olfactometric research was carried out by means of a method based on identification and characterization of the odor plume emitted from the examined source. This paper presents the results of odor intensity assessment (in sensory examinations according to a 6-stage scale) and odor concentration measurement (using portable field olfactometers) after the completion of the project, and compares them with similar studies conducted before the commencement of the investment. A total of 10 measurement series were carried out before modernization, and 12 after modernization of the WWTP. Odor concentration and intensity were determined, and the current meteorological situation was assessed at the measurement and observation points (receptors) located within the premises (in total 462 points) and around the WWTP (342 points). In each series of measurements on the windward side of the treatment plant, the background of air pollution with odorous substances was marked. The research showed that air flowing into the area of the sewage treatment plant is clean in terms of odor. During the research, basic sources of odor nuisance were identified, and their impact before and after modernization was characterized. The results presented in radar diagrams show changes in the percentage distribution of frequency of occurrence of individual intensity values at receptor points within and outside the area of the treatment plant. After modernization, a significant decrease in the concentration of odor emitted from the sludge dewatering building and sludge containers was determined. The air-tightness of the sewage channel (covered with concrete slabs and sealed) resulted in a significant decrease in the concentration of odor emitted from this source. Waste (in particular, sewage sludge) collected in the emergency waste storage yard was identified as the main source of odor nuisance. The waste, even after modernization, was an emitter of odorous compounds spreading outside the area of the WWTP. Nevertheless, as a result of the investment, the desired effect of reduction of the degree of odor nuisance was achieved.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of the Effects of Wastewater Treatment Plant Modernization by Means of the Field Olfactometry Method

Kulig

Szyłak-Szydłowski

2019

Water

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“…An SM-100 portable field olfactometer provided by Scentroid (IDES Canada, Inc., Whitchurch-Stouffville, ON, Canada) was used to perform the odour concentration analysis of the different gaseous samples obtained during the experiment, as explained by [24]. Briefly, the portable field olfactometer, which is factory calibrated, works by diluting a fixed flow of clean breathable air with the odorous sample until the panellist perceives an odour change.…”

Section: Analytical Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On the other hand, few works dealing with the OEFs of SS biological treatment have been found. However, [42] evaluated the OEFs of different substrates in a 300 L aerated pilot-scale reactor, reporting an OEF of 9.35 × 10 8 ou•Mg −1 DM-SS for SS composting and [24] obtained an OEF of 9.45 × 10 7 ou•Mg −1 DM-SS in a full-scale sewage sludge composting plant. For SS composting, different ranges of target pollutants and odour concentrations can be found in literature depending on the characteristics of the feedstocks or the composting process itself [43][44][45].…”

Section: Nh 3 H 2 S Tvocs and Odour Emissionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of the Gaseous and Odour Emissions from the Composting of Conventional Sewage Sludge

et al. 2020

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Many different alternatives exist to manage and treat sewage sludge, all with the common drawback of causing environmental and odour impacts. The main objective of this work is to present a full inventory of the gaseous and odorous emissions generated during the bench-scale composting of conventional sewage sludge, aiming at assessing the process performance and providing global valuable information of the different gaseous emission patterns and emission factors found for greenhouse gases (GHG) and odorant pollutants during the conventional sewage sludge composting process. The main process parameters evaluated were the temperature of the material, specific airflow, average oxygen uptake rate (OUR), and final dynamic respiration index (DRI), resulting in a proper performance of the sewage sludge composting process and obtaining the expected final product. The obtained material was properly stabilized, presenting a final DRI of 1.2 ± 0.2 g O2·h−1·kg−1 Volatile Solids (VS). GHGs emission factor, in terms of kg CO2eq·Mg−1 dry matter of sewage sludge (DM–SS), was found to be 2.30 × 102. On the other hand, the sewage sludge composting odour emission factor (OEF) was 2.68 × 107ou·Mg−1 DM–SS. Finally, the most abundant volatile organic compounds (VOC) species found in the composting gaseous emissions were terpenes, sulphur compounds, ketones, and aromatic hydrocarbons, whereas the major odour contributors identified were dimethyldisulphide, eucalyptol, and α-pinene.

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“…GC-MS is also commonly adopted for monitoring emission variations during industrial processes to identify the most critical phases, which significantly influence the odor's impact on the surroundings. In 2019, Gonzalez et al [44] used TD GC-MS to characterize odorous emissions of a full-scale sewage composting plant located in Majorca (Spain). In particular, the study involved the analysis of 34 gaseous samples representative of different points of the treatment processes, with the aim of monitoring the odorous emissions during the composting process.…”

Section: Examples Of Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Can Odors Be Measured? An Overview of Methods and Their Applications

2020

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In recent years, citizens' attention towards air quality and pollution has increased significantly, and nowadays, odor pollution related to different industrial activities is recognized as a well-known environmental issue. For this reason, odors are subjected to control and regulation in many countries, and specific methods for odor measurement have been developed and standardized over the years. This paper, conceived within the H2020 D-NOSES project, summarizes odor measurement techniques, highlighting their applicability, advantages, and limits, with the aim of providing experienced as well as non-experienced users a useful tool that can be consulted in the management of specific odor problems for evaluating and identifying the most suitable approach. The paper also presents relevant examples of the application of the different methods discussed, thereby mainly referring to scientific articles published over the last 10 years.Atmosphere 2020, 11, 92 2 of 27 •Citizen science.Dynamic olfactometry and field inspection are the only methods specifically developed for odor measurement, which have been standardized at the European level [5][6][7].Other techniques, involving chemical characterization, are consolidated analytical techniques, commonly adopted to provide information about the odor properties of gaseous mixtures.Conversely, methods based on citizen science are quite new. Those techniques, based on the active involvement of citizens, have been proposed in recent years to address socio-environmental conflicts within the impacted communities [8,9]. In particular, these programs consist of the active involvement of citizens in the mapping and management of odor pollution problems, thereby allowing co-creation of local solutions together with industries, regional and local authorities, and odor experts [10,11]. With the aim to develop such innovative approaches based on so-called "extreme citizen science", in 2018, the Distributed Network for Odor Sensing, Empowerment, and Sustainability (D-NOSES) project was presented and has received funding from the European's Union Horizon 2020 Science with and for Society Call (SwafS) under grant agreement No. 789315. This project proposes a holistic approach, based on the cooperation of key stakeholders (citizens, regional and local authorities, industries, and odor experts) for the mapping and co-design of solutions, to researching, building, and suggesting an appropriate regulatory framework. Recognizing the lack of information about odor pollution and management as a limit for the successful adoption of citizen science for the management of odor problems, this review paper was conceived within the H2020 D-NOSES project with the purpose of raising awareness about odor pollution and providing a scientific background concerning odor impact assessment methods, which can be used by experienced as well as non-experienced users.This paper presents an overview of the methods that can be used for odor measurement, thereby excluding odor impact assessment techniques based on mat...

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A systematic study on the VOCs characterization and odour emissions in a full-scale sewage sludge composting plant

Cited by 58 publications

References 31 publications

Assessment of the Effects of Wastewater Treatment Plant Modernization by Means of the Field Olfactometry Method

Assessment of the Effects of Wastewater Treatment Plant Modernization by Means of the Field Olfactometry Method

Characterization of the Gaseous and Odour Emissions from the Composting of Conventional Sewage Sludge

How Can Odors Be Measured? An Overview of Methods and Their Applications

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