Odour emission ability (OEA) and its application in assessing odour removal efficiency

Abstract

Odourous emissions from sewer networks and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) can significantly impact a local population. Sampling techniques such as wind tunnels and flux hood chambers are traditionally used to collect area source samples for subsequent quantification of odour emission rates using dilution olfactometry, however these methods are unsuitable for assessing liquid samples from point sources due to the large liquid volumes required. To overcome this limitation, a gas phase sample preparation method was developed for assessing the total Odour Emission Ability (OEA) from a liquid sample. The method was validated using two volatile organic sulphur compounds (VOSCs), dimethyl-trisulphide (DMTS) and bismethylthiomethane (BMTM) that are frequently detected from sewers and WWTPs and are relatively stable compared with common VOSCs like mercaptan or methyl mercaptan. The recovery rates of DMTS and BMTM were quantified by injecting a known volume of a standard liquid sample into Tedlar bags using a static injection and a dynamic injection methodology. It was confirmed that both dynamic and static injection methods at ambient condition achieved high recovery rates with no need to consider increasing evaporation by elevating the temperature. This method can also be used to assess odour removal effectiveness of liquids by comparing the OEA before and after the treatment tests. Two application examples were presented.

Municipal sewer networks as sources of nitrous oxide, methane and hydrogen sulphide emissions: A review and case studies

“…53 Depending on the type of sewer (gravity or pressurised) or the 54 type of constructive element, GHG such as CO 2 , N 2 O, CH 4 , as well as 55 H 2 S can result from aerobic, anoxic or anaerobic environments 56 [10]. (Supporting information 1) For a more detailed description of 57 the sewer elements and biological processes leading to emissions, 58 we recommend [9,11,12]. 59 Emissions of CH 4 and H 2 S from sewers have received a lot more 60 attention than N 2 O and CO 2 given their safety, toxicity, and 61 corrosion issues [13][14][15][16][17][18][19].…”

Odorants and Their Contributions to Overall Odour Emission from a Landfill Leachate

“…The sulfur compounds determined by TD-GC-SCD system include carbonyl sulfide, hydrogen sulfide, merthyl mercaptan, ethyl mercaptan, dimethyl sulfide, carbon disulfide, 2-methyl-2-propantiol, ethyl methyl sulfide, 2-butanehiol, 1-butanethiol, dimethyl disulfide, ethyl methyl sulfide, diethyl disulfide, and dimethyl trisulfide. Their quantifications were based on high-purity individual liquid standards purchased from Sigma-Aldrich, Arkema Inc. or SAFC Supply Solutions using the dynamic injection sample preparation method [52].…”

Corrosion and odor management in sewer systems

“…However, methods for the monitoring of non-H 2 S odorous compounds are still under development [43][44][45]. The empty bed retention time (EBRT) and mass transfer in biotrickling filtration systems have been found to have significant effects on MT and hydrophobic VOCs removal [46 ,47].…”