BIOFILTRATION FOR ODOR CONTROL FROM WASTEWATER AND BIOSOLIDS PROCESSING FACILITIES

Biofiltration is an air pollution control technology that uses microorganisms to biologically degrade odorous compounds and air pollutants. Biofiltration has been utilized to treat highly odorous airstreams and air pollutants (such as volatile organic compounds) from facilities for over 30 years.As a result of the increasing encroachment of neighbors on a large number of wastewater and biosolids facilities, more cost effective odor control alternatives have been developed. Recently, design improvements and successful operating experiences have made biofiltration the odor control technology of choice at wastewater facilities.This paper will present information on five biofilter case studies. The five facilities are: Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority (Charlottesville, Virginia); Roseville, California; Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (Duluth, Minnesota); Hoosac Water Quality District (Williamstown, Massachusetts); and Davenport, Iowa;. These case studies include biofilters for odor control at all areas of the wastewater treatment process.Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority: 2,825 cubic feet per minute (CFM) from 6 million gallons per day (MGD) pump station. Constructed in 1995.Roseville, California: 20,000 CFM of odorous air from headworks. Constructed in 1998.Western Lake Superior Sanitary District: 50,000 CFM from headworks, grit removal, and sludge thickening. Constructed in 1996.Hoosac Water Quality District: 21,000 CFM from 10 dry tons per day (DTPD) modified aerated static pile biosolids composting facility. Constructed in 1992 and expanded in 1997.Davenport, Iowa: 210,000 CFM from a 28 DTPD aerated static pile biosolids composting facility. Constructed in 1995.Design parameters, design improvements, airstream characteristics, economics, operating experiences, and odor removal performance will be presented for each of these case studies.