METHODS FOR ESTIMATING ODOR EMISSIONS

The emission and control of odors from wastewater facilities is receiving increasing attention by citizens who reside in the communities surrounding these facilities, the municipal agencies responsible to build and operate them, and from the regulators whose job it is to ensure they are operated within their operating permits. Odorous compounds associated with wastewater are listed, including their odor threshold and detection concentrations, and odor description. The odor threshold values of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are also presented. Air emission measurement techniques that are used to develop emissions rates are described. Air sample collection methods and different analytical methods used to characterize odorous air samples are discussed which include: sensory analysis and odor measurement; chemical analysis to identify compounds; portable and handheld equipment with data logging capabilities, and optical remote sensing. Liquid phase analyses that are normally conducted as part of an odor survey are reviewed.