The Latest Odor Control Issues and Solutions for Wastewater Systems

The advancement of residential and commercial development around existing wastewater reclamation facilities brings new challenges to operators of these facilities. In addition to liquids treatment, facilities need to even more effectively than previously treat nuisance odors in order to be a good neighbor to their local communities.An assortment of technologies is available to choose from in applying a solution to odor control at individual facilities. Progression of technology over the last 35 years has been made. The four most commonly used technologies are biofilters, biotrickling filters, chemical scrubbers and dry media units. Prior to the 1970s the two most widely used odor control technologies at wastewater reclamation facilities were wet chemical scrubbing and dry media, the latter typically comprising activated carbon adsorption. During the 1970s biological vapor phase treatment was developed and in the next 20 years came into wider use with the availability of vendors’ packaged biofilters and biotrickling filters.Those four technologies have recently been complemented by ionization also known as non-thermal plasma.Prior to treating an odorous source the first stage is to contain and collect the odorous air; the first section explains strategies for that stage of the solution.The steps in selecting a solution for an odor issue are also outlined.