Biofiltration is not a one-size-fits-all technology. In order to properly design the biological odour control process, the foul air source needs to be accurately characterized. The optimal biological odour control configuration will depend strongly on the compounds contributing to odour. Considering the application of biological odour control to wastewater treatment plants specifically, this paper first describes the most common odorous compounds and how each can be biologically degraded.
Several case studies demonstrate the importance of selecting the proper biological technology based on the foul air source. This paper is intended as a Manual of Best Practices for environmental professionals interested in applying the latest developments in advanced biological odour control techniques.
In this work, the physico-chemical, olfactometric and textural characterization of granular activated carbon (GAC) from the odor adsorbent beds of an urban wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), as well as the chromatographic quantification of the retained odoriferous compounds, were carried out.
The Ondarroa WWTP receives wastewater with a very high salt load due to marine intrusion and discharges from canning industries. The high levels of SH2 in the network and in the WWTP cause serious problems of safety, odour and equipment degradation. To solve this, action has been taken in the network, reducing the contribution of sulphates at source by separating networks, reprogramming pumping and improving the management of waste from the canneries.