Land Application Odor Control Case Study

Hamel, Kathleen C.; Sulerud, Courtney; McGinley, Michael A.

doi:10.2175/193864704784342622

Cited by 10 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 4 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Therefore, nuisance odor studies typically emphasize threshold olfactometry and emission rates. Thirteen states currently use field olfactometry for odor regulation (McGinley and McGinley, 2003), and some (CO, CT, IL, KY, MO, NV, WY) have adopted a limit of 7 D/T for defining an odor violation (Hamel et al, 2004). Pennsylvania does not have a standard for field olfactometry nuisance determination, thus in the absence of specific guidance, we assumed that values >7 BET 10 represent emissions that could generate an odor nuisance situation.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of Field Olfactometry for Quantification of WWTP Dewatering Facility Odor Emissions

Brandt¹,

Johnston²,

Toffey³

et al. 2009

proc water environ fed

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

An improved methodology for quantifying odor dilution-to-threshold (D/T) levels from environmental emission sources using field olfactometry has been developed, using multiple assessors. The method, pioneered at the Penn State Odor Assessment Laboratory for evaluation of manure odor emissions, is appropriate for high value decision making where documentation of existing malodor D/T levels and alternative mitigation measures are considered. This study describes application of the technique at the Philadelphia Biosolids Recycling Center (BRC) to benchmark odor emissions under current operating conditions, and identify perimeter locations especially vulnerable for off-site odor complaints. Nasal Ranger ® field olfactometer (FO) instruments were used to collect D/T observations at 13 inside-the-fence locations during four odor survey events in late July 2008. Quantitative FO measurements were complimented with odor quality observations: character, supra-threshold intensity, and hedonic tone. Subjective odor intensity and hedonic tone very highly correlated (r=0.99) with log 10 Best Estimate Threshold odor concentrations. The primary malodor source was determined to be the biosolids stockpile storage area. Less significant malodor sources included: the transport truck conveyorloading area, debris/ puddles along fence lines, and storm water collection/ detention facilities. Improved housekeeping and relocation of dewatered biosolids storage facilities were suggested to reduce the potential for off-site nuisance odor complaints.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of Field Olfactometry for Quantification of WWTP Dewatering Facility Odor Emissions

Brandt¹,

Johnston²,

Toffey³

et al. 2009

proc water environ fed

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…These results clearly indicate that odor panel FO readings in the range of 7 D/T to 15 D/T show the greatest odor panel variability, and thus require the greatest number of observations to secure reliable findings. This is a noteworthy finding, since 7 D/T is used as a threshold for defining nuisance odor conditions in some states (Hamel et al, 2004).…”

Section: Power Analysis Determination Of Fo Sampling Requirementsmentioning

confidence: 86%

Statistical Confidence of Field Olfactometry and Biosolids Odor Assessment

Brandt¹,

Elliott²,

Adviento-Borbe³

et al. 2010

proc water environ fed

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Specific gasses (odorants) are often poorly correlated with odors, which require human perception. Thus, olfactometry is used to quantify odors, which commonly contain a complex mixture of offensive compounds. Laboratory-based dynamic olfactometry is expensive and timeconsuming, and is accompanied with sample container/ preservation issues. Field olfactometry provides real-time measurements at lower detection levels, but is influenced by environmental factors. This study explores the use of field olfactometry for quantifying dilutions-to-threshold (D/T) of environmental malodors. Field olfactometer instruments were used to collect 3096 individual D/T observations at various livestock facilities in central Pennsylvania. Twelve to 16 observations were collected at each station using multiple assessors, capturing four concurrent readings each. The multi-assessor repeat observation (MARO) technique found the reproducibility of D/T observations (across assessors) was more precise than replicate observations by individual assessors (repeatability). Observations were significantly (α=0.05) affected by assessor n-butanol sensitivity and source distance. Fluctuating wind speed and direction influenced odorant-fresh air mixing and resultant D/T readings. Power analysis showed that the 16 sample MARO field olfactometry method achieved 95% odor panel confidence with a power value of 0.90 at lower-D/T (2,4) and upper-D/T (30, 60) levels. Mid-range D/T settings of 7 and 15 exhibited the greatest panelist variability. This investigation found that MARO field olfactometry can reliably detect odor D/T differences; however, the greatest numbers of observations are needed at D/T levels of 7 to 15, precisely the values used to define nuisance odor conditions in some states.Two studies were subsequently conducted to investigate the MARO methodology for biosolids odor emission quantification. First, an odor-ring technique was employed to assess the influence of storage time on malodors from surface-applied biosolids. The multi-assessor/ repeatobservation methodology was also used to investigate the potential for off-site odor nuisance episodes at the Philadelphia Biosolids Recycling Center. Summary findings from these studies are presented to illustrate the value and practical implications of using FO in high-value decision-making.

show abstract

“…These results indicate that odor panel NRO readings in the range of 7 D/T to 15 D/T show the greatest odor panel variability, and thus require the greatest number of observations to obtain reliable results. This is a noteworthy finding since 7 D/T is used as a threshold for defining nuisance odor conditions in some states (Hamel et al, 2004). The greater number of MARO observations needed to achieve 95% confidence for mid-range NRO D/T settings may be explained by the natural tendency for assessors to agree when odors are very strong (e.g.…”

Section: Distance Between Primary Odor Source and Observation Station (M)mentioning

confidence: 93%

Protocols for Reliable Field Olfactometry Odor Evaluations

Brandt

Adviento-Borbe

Elliott

et al. 2011

Applied Engineering in Agriculture

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Specific gasses (odorants) are often poorly correlated with odors, which require human perception. Thus, olfactometry is used to quantify odors, which commonly contain a complex mixture of offensive compounds. Laboratory-based dynamic olfactometry is expensive and time-consuming, and it is accompanied with sample container/ preservation issues. Field olfactometry provides real-time measurements at lower detection levels, but is influenced by environmental factors. This study explores the use of field olfactometry for quantifying dilutions-to-threshold (D/T) of environmental malodors. Nasal Ranger R Field Olfactometer (NRO) instruments were used to collect 3096 individual D/T observations at livestock facilities in central Pennsylvania. Twelve to 16 observations were collected at each sampling station using multiple assessors, capturing four concurrent readings each. The multiple-assessor repeat observation (MARO) technique revealed that the reproducibility of D/T observations (across assessors) was more precise than replicate observations by individual assessors (repeatability). Observations were significantly (P<0.0001) influenced by odor source distance, wind direction, barometric pressure, and wind velocity. Power analysis showed that the 16-sample MARO using NRO method achieved 95% odor panel confidence with a power value of 0.90 at lower-D/T (2,4) and upper-D/T (30, 60) levels. Mid-range D/T settings of 7 and 15 exhibited the greatest odor panelist variability. This study shows that MARO field olfactometry can reliably estimate odor D/T differences, even with weather variations. It is noteworthy, however, that the greatest numbers of observations (n= 85-91) are needed at D/T levels of 7 to 15 (to achieve 95% confidence), precisely the range used to define nuisance odor conditions in some states.

show abstract

Land Application Odor Control Case Study

Cited by 10 publications

References 4 publications

Use of Field Olfactometry for Quantification of WWTP Dewatering Facility Odor Emissions

Use of Field Olfactometry for Quantification of WWTP Dewatering Facility Odor Emissions

Statistical Confidence of Field Olfactometry and Biosolids Odor Assessment

Protocols for Reliable Field Olfactometry Odor Evaluations

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About