Odor Control

If you happen to have be in Prof. Baran’s last wastewater class, or ever driven near a wastewater treatment plant, then you probably are aware of the odor problem that is produced at treatment facilities.

The treatment facility at Wyoming Michigan is no exception.  With an ever increasing population around the facility, pressure was placed on the facility to remedy the odor problem.  Specifically the facility experienced high concentrations of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. 

The facility installed a scrubber system was installed and has performed adequately in eliminating the odor problem.  Having multiple stages of treatment, the first stage of the scrubber uses a dilute sulfuric acid to treat the ammonia.  The second stage treats sulfide based odors with a combination of sodium hydroxide and sodium hypochlorite. 

So where does the odor go?  The reaction that takes place in the scrubbers transforms the odorous vapor into a species that does not inhibit further absorption of that vapor.  This allows for cost effective recirculation of the scrubbing solution.

Since the installation of the scrubbers, they have exceeded the expectations of the designers.  For more on this article click on the link provided below. 

http://www.wwdmag.com/Scrubbing-Out-Odor-article8848