SEWAGE PUMP STATION ODOR CONTROL WITH BIOFILTRATION

With ever expanding development and aging collection systems, the opportunities for adverse impacts to neighbors due to odors from collection infrastructure such as pump stations is increasing.Biofiltration has been used successfully at several pump stations and at wastewater treatment plants (WWTP's) to reduce nuisance odors and prevent odor problems with neighbors. In addition, emissions from wastewater flows from industrial complexes such as Kraft paper mills have been successfully treated.This paper discusses two case histories of treating emission from pump stations and WWTP's serving municipal and industrial wastewater flows. Data will be presented on various odorous emission compounds and odor levels both before and after treatment through biofilters. Details of the design and unique features not normally found in biofilters will be discussed.Case History 1: Municipal pump station handling waste flows from a Kraft paper mill. The pump station is adjacent to a condominium complex. Previous attempts at odor control included the use of chemical scrubbers and Regenerative Thermal Oxidation (RTO). Both of these technologies were not sustainable at this location due to the inadequate performance and high cost of operation, respectively. The emissions from the pump station contain high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide, dimethyl disulfide and dimethyl sulfide. This combination of compounds required the use of a unique two-stage biofilter.Case History 2: An interceptor pump station located in a residential neighborhood caused odor complaints. A more conventional biofilter was used to treat the emissions.The two case histories represent the extremes of high and low cost installations with unusual and conventional treatment. Information on design methods used, capital and operating costs, as well as performance test results will be presented.