Control of odors and emissions from wastewater treatment plants

The principal reference of contemporary practice for managing air emissions from wastewater systems. Public awareness of odors and air pollutants from wastewater facilities, as well as federal, state, and local regulations have evolved over the past 10 years, making the all-inclusive Control of Odors and Emissions from Wastewater Treatment Plants , MOP 25, a critical manual for all professionals involved in managing air emissions from wastewater systems.

Topics include:

measurement and characteristics; regulations and policies; containment; chemical and physical treatment; atmospheric dispersion modeling; public health and public relations; and case studies involving odors and air emissions from wastewater treatment plants and collection systems.

Author Notes

The Water Environment Federation is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of 33,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. Since 1928, WEF and its members have protected public health and the environment. As a global water sector leader, our mission is to connect water professionals; enrich the expertise of water professionals; increase the awareness of the impact and value of water; and provide a platform for water sector innovation.

Preface	p. xxvii
1 Introduction	p. 1
Purpose and Background	p. 1
Scope and Organization	p. 2
2 Odor Sampling and Measurements	p. 3
Introduction	p. 3
What is Odor?	p. 5
Odor Parameters	p. 6
Sampling Odor Sources	p. 7
Sampling Exhaust Stacks and Vents	p. 8
Sampling Surfaces	p. 11
Background of Laboratory Olfactometry Standards	p. 12
Odor Panels	p. 14
Odor Concentration	p. 15
Odor Concentration Values in Air Dispersion Modeling	p. 18
Odor Intensity	p. 19
Odor Persistency	p. 20
Odor Characterization	p. 22
Confident Interval of Odors Results	p. 24
Odor Reduction Efficiency	p. 25
Measuring Ambient Odors	p. 26
Ambient Odor Intensity	p. 26
Ambient Odor Concentration	p. 27
Field Olfactometry	p. 28
Sampling and Analyzing Specific Odorants	p. 30
Standardized Odor Sampling and Measurements	p. 31
References	p. 31
3 Characteristics and Measurement of Potentially Toxic Air Emissions	p. 33
Introduction	p. 35
Project Description	p. 35
Project Organization and Responsibility	p. 36
Site-Provided Equipment and Services	p. 36
Shipping	p. 36
Equipment List	p. 36
Quality Assurance Objectives	p. 36
Precision	p. 39
Accuracy	p. 39
Completeness	p. 40
Representativeness	p. 40
Comparability	p. 41
Sampling Procedures	p. 41
Some General Notes on Sampling at Wastewater Treatment Facilities	p. 41
Stack Testing	p. 41
Area Source Testing	p. 42
Individual Gas-Sampling Methods	p. 46
Meteorological Data Collection	p. 50
Liquid Sampling of Process Wastewater	p. 50
Process Data	p. 50
Sample Custody	p. 51
Documentation Procedures	p. 51
Chain-of-Custody Procedures	p. 51
Sample-Handling Procedures	p. 52
Sample Preservation	p. 52
Calibration Procedures and Frequency	p. 52
Laboratory Instrument Calibration	p. 52
Field Instrument Calibration Procedures	p. 53
Data Reduction, Validation, and Reporting	p. 53
Data Reduction	p. 53
Data Transfer and Verification	p. 54
Data Validation	p. 54
Data Analysis	p. 55
Reporting	p. 55
Analytical Procedures and Calibration	p. 56
Overview of Common Analytical Methods	p. 56
Specific Details for Individual Compound Analysis	p. 56
Example Methods of Whole-Air Sample Analysis	p. 59
Example Methods of Sorbent Analysis	p. 61
Methods of Wastewater Analysis	p. 63
Laboratory Standards and Reagent--Method Detection Limit Determination	p. 63
Internal Quality Control	p. 64
Performance and System Audits	p. 71
Preventative Maintenance	p. 72
Specific Routine Procedures Used to Assess Data Precision, Accuracy, and Completeness	p. 73
Blank Data Assessment	p. 74
Accuracy	p. 74
Precision	p. 75
Completeness	p. 75
Corrective Action	p. 76
Corrective Action	p. 76
Quality Assurance Reports to Management	p. 76
Health and Safety	p. 77
Sampling and Analytical Methods Referenced in This Chapter	p. 77
U.S. EPA Methods. Promulgated Methods	p. 77
ASTM Methods	p. 78
NIOSH/OSHA Methods	p. 78
Other Liquid Phase Wastewater Analysis	p. 78
References	p. 78
4 Odor Regulations and Policies	p. 81
Introduction	p. 81
Overview of Odor Regulations and Policies	p. 82
Questions to Consider When Setting Up an Odor Standard	p. 85
Odor Detectability	p. 86
Odor Nuisance	p. 86
Odor Nuisance Complaints	p. 87
Validation of Complaints	p. 88
Defining What Constitutes a Community Odor Nuisance	p. 88
State and Local Responsibility for Odor Regulations	p. 90
Olfactometry-Based Regulatory Approaches	p. 91
Regulatory Approaches Based on Use of Individual Compounds	p. 93
Odor Intensity Approaches	p. 96
Best Available Control Technology Approach to Odors	p. 97
Ambient Air Odor Limits	p. 97
State Odor Regulatory Approaches Case Study--New Jersey	p. 97
Air-Dispersion Modeling Issues Relative to Odor Regulations	p. 99
Conclusions	p. 101
References	p. 101
5 Criteria and Toxic Air Emissions Regulations and Requirements	p. 103
Introduction	p. 104
The Clean Air Act Amendments (1990) and Requirements by the States	p. 105
Glossary of Important Words Included in the Clean Air Act and 40 CFR Parts 50 and 51	p. 105
The Clean Air Act Amendments (1990) and Sections Relevant to Publicly Owned Treatment Works	p. 107
Emissions Identification and Quantification of Publicly Owned Treatment Works	p. 109
Wastewater Treatment in a Publicly Owned Treatment Work	p. 109
Air Emissions of a Publicly Owned Treatment Work	p. 109
Emission Quantification at Publicly Owned Treatment Works	p. 110
Federal Regulatory Requirements of Publicly Owned Treatment Works	p. 110
Glossary of Important Words Included in 40 CFR Part 60	p. 111
Standards of Performance for Small Industrial-Commercial-Institutional Steam-Generating Units	p. 113
Standards of Performance for Wastewater Treatment Plants	p. 113
Standards of Performance for Volatile Organic Liquid Storage Vessels	p. 114
Standards of Performance for Stationary Gas Turbines	p. 114
Glossary of Important Words Included in 40 CFR Part 63	p. 115
National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants	p. 118
Other Requirements	p. 120
State Air Requirements	p. 121
Air Permit Requirements of Publicly Owned Treatment Works	p. 123
Definition of Important Words Included in the State of Delaware Title V Regulation	p. 124
Title V Operating Permit or Requirements of 40 CFR Part 70	p. 125
Air Compliance Procedures	p. 126
Summary	p. 126
Appendix Example Air Permit	p. 127
References	p. 131
6 Generation and Release of Odors	p. 133
Introduction	p. 134
Theory of Odor Generation and Release	p. 134
Hydrogen Sulfide	p. 134
Organic Sulfur Compounds	p. 138
Ammonia and Nitrogen Compounds	p. 139
Other Wastewater Odorants	p. 139
Odorants from Industrial Sources	p. 143
Release of Odors	p. 143
Odor Emissions from Collection Systems	p. 144
Gravity Sewers	p. 144
Force Mains	p. 145
Pumping Stations	p. 146
Commercial or Industrial Discharges	p. 146
Odor Emissions from Liquid Stream Wastewater Treatment Processes	p. 147
Preliminary Treatment	p. 147
Primary Treatment	p. 148
Biological Treatment	p. 148
Odor Emissions from Residual and Solids-Handling Processes	p. 150
Thickening	p. 150
Blending and Holding	p. 151
Stabilization	p. 151
Dewatering	p. 152
Composting	p. 153
Thermal Drying	p. 155
Incineration	p. 155
Cake Conveyance, Storage, and Transport	p. 155
Land Application	p. 156
Grit, Screenings, and Scum	p. 156
References	p. 156
7 Air Emissions from Wastewater Systems	p. 159
Introduction	p. 159
Overview of Publicly Owned Treatment Works Processes	p. 160
Collection Systems	p. 162
Physical Unit Operations	p. 166
Biological Treatment	p. 168
Emissions from Tertiary Filtration	p. 170
Solids Processing	p. 170
Combustion Sources	p. 173
Disinfection	p. 179
Emission Estimation Methods--General Fate Models	p. 181
Case History--Joint Emissions Inventory Program	p. 183
References	p. 184
8 Assessing Odors and Air Emissions	p. 187
Introduction	p. 188
Odor and Air Emissions Control Strategies for Wastewater Treatment Plants	p. 188
Diagnosing an Odor Problem--the Tools	p. 189
Sensory Analyses	p. 190
Instrumental Chemical Analyses	p. 192
Comparison of Sensory and Chemical Analyses	p. 193
Combined Sensory and Chemical Analyses	p. 195
Analyses of Wastewater	p. 195
Diagnosing an Odor Problem--Key Tasks	p. 196
Odor Emission Inventory	p. 196
Determining Odor Effects	p. 198
Development of Odor Control Strategies for Wastewater Treatment Plants	p. 201
Setting the Target for the Odor Control Effort	p. 201
Determining the Required Reduction in Odor Effects and Emissions	p. 204
Evaluation of Odor Reduction Alternatives	p. 206
Assessment of Odors from Collection Systems	p. 208
Case History--Residential Odor Effect Caused by Force Main	p. 209
Case History--Odor Assessment and Control Program at a Metropolitan Water Pollution Control Facility in New England	p. 212
Off-Site Odor Surveys	p. 213
Odor Emissions and the Odor Reduction Program	p. 214
References	p. 217
9 Public Health Issues--Odors and Potentially Toxic Air Emissions	p. 219
Introduction	p. 219
Odors	p. 220
Chemical Compounds Associated with Odors	p. 220
Health Aspects	p. 225
Health Versus Nuisance	p. 225
Health Implications	p. 226
Pathogens and Bioaerosols	p. 228
Organic Compounds and Heavy Metals	p. 230
Conclusions	p. 233
References	p. 234
10 Minimizing Odor and Fugitive Organic Emissions from Wastewater Collection Systems	p. 239
Introduction	p. 240
Collection System Source Control	p. 241
Regulatory Authority	p. 241
Prohibited Discharges	p. 242
Developing Numerical Standards	p. 245
Collection System Design	p. 249
Pipe Slope	p. 249
Surface Reaeration	p. 250
Turbulence Reduction	p. 251
Pumping Stations	p. 251
Force Mains	p. 251
Siphons and Submerged Pipes	p. 253
Control of Fugitive Organic Emissions	p. 254
Collection System Operation and Maintenance	p. 254
Solids Discharge	p. 254
Pipe Cleaning	p. 255
Monitoring	p. 255
Inspection	p. 256
Liquid-Phase Treatment	p. 257
Air and Oxygen Injection	p. 257
Chemical Oxidants	p. 263
Nitrate Addition	p. 268
Iron Salts	p. 270
Adjustment of pH	p. 276
Biological Controls	p. 279
Vapor-Phase Treatment	p. 282
General Requirements	p. 283
Packed Tower Scrubbers	p. 283
Activated Carbon	p. 283
Biofilters	p. 285
Biotrickling Filters	p. 285
Ionization	p. 287
Comprehensive Collection System Odor and Corrosion Management Program	p. 289
References	p. 290
11 Containment of Odors and Emissions from Wastewater Treatment Plants	p. 295
Introduction	p. 296
Odor Cover Alternatives	p. 296
Case Histories	p. 333
Coney Island Water Pollution Control Plant	p. 333
North River Water Pollution Control Plant	p. 335
Covering Odors	p. 339
References	p. 344
12 Biological Odor Control	p. 345
Introduction	p. 346
The Biological Connection	p. 346
Why Consider Biological Odor Treatment?	p. 347
Biological Odor Treatment Biochemistry	p. 347
Autotrophic Bacterial Processes	p. 348
Heterotrophic Biological Processes	p. 349
Biological Uptake Processes	p. 350
Types of Odor Compounds	p. 351
Biological Odor Technology Nomenclature	p. 351
Biofilters	p. 352
Biofilter History	p. 352
Biofilter Physical Description	p. 353
Biofilter Components	p. 353
Air Ducting and Fan System	p. 354
Air Plenums	p. 358
Underdrain Piping System	p. 360
Media Support System	p. 361
Acid and Neutral Zones	p. 362
Biofilter Media	p. 364
Odor Removal Mechanisms	p. 364
Soil Media	p. 366
Organic Media	p. 368
Prefabricated Biofilter Units	p. 379
Bioscrubbers and Biotrickling Filters	p. 380
Bioscrubber	p. 380
Biotrickling Filter	p. 380
Aeration Basin Disposal	p. 383
Return Activated Sludge Recycle	p. 386
Appendix A Biofilter Operation and Maintenance Guidelines	p. 389
Appendix B Common Biological Odor Control Design Criteria and Cost Information	p. 397
References	p. 399
13 Chemical and Physical Treatment of Odors	p. 401
Introduction	p. 402
Gas Absorption Scrubbers	p. 402
Packed Bed Scrubbers	p. 402
Misting Scrubber Systems	p. 410
Catalytic Oxidation	p. 412
Multiple Stage Scrubbers	p. 413
Particulate Removal	p. 414
Dry Adsorption Systems	p. 415
Carbon Adsorption	p. 415
Types of Carbon	p. 418
Types of Activated-Carbon Applications	p. 420
Carbon Saturation Calculations	p. 421
Other Adsorption Processes	p. 422
Thermal Oxidation	p. 423
Description	p. 423
Thermal Oxidation Processes	p. 424
Thermal Efficiency	p. 428
Typical Design Considerations	p. 429
Major Design Considerations	p. 429
References	p. 429
14 Control of Potentially Toxic Air Emissions from Wastewater Systems	p. 431
Introduction	p. 432
Source Characterization	p. 432
Control Devices for Particulate Matter	p. 444
Momentum-Based Separators for the Control of Larger Particles	p. 450
Control Technologies for Moderate-to-Small-Sized Particles	p. 453
Control Devices for Organic Air Contaminants	p. 456
Absorption Systems	p. 457
Biological Control Systems	p. 459
Carbon Adsorption Systems	p. 462
Thermal Oxidation Systems	p. 463
Catalytic Oxidation Systems	p. 465
Hybrid Control Systems and Concentrators	p. 466
Control Devices for Inorganic Air Contaminants	p. 466
Desulfurization Methods	p. 467
Thermal Reduction of Nitrogen Oxides	p. 467
Summary	p. 468
References	p. 468
Suggestions for Further Reading	p. 469
15 Atmospheric Dispersion Modeling of Odors and Air Emissions	p. 471
Introduction	p. 472
Atmospheric Environment	p. 472
Surface Mixing Layer	p. 473
Vertical Temperature Gradients	p. 473
Temperature Inversions	p. 474
Vertical Wind Speed and Direction Profiles	p. 475
Influence of Terrain	p. 476
Atmospheric Turbulence	p. 476
Stability Categories	p. 477
Turbulence Theory	p. 478
Plume Dispersion	p. 479
Plume Rise	p. 481
Building Cavity and Wake Effects	p. 482
Averaging Periods	p. 485
Peak-to-Mean Scaling Factors	p. 486
Effects of Urbanization	p. 488
Source Characteristics	p. 488
Dispersion Models	p. 491
Regulatory Modeling Guidance	p. 493
Regulatory Models	p. 494
Nonregulatory Models	p. 498
Odor Models	p. 500
Dispersion Modeling Procedures	p. 503
Case Study	p. 506
Objectives	p. 506
Odor Dispersion Model	p. 507
Odor Modeling Results	p. 507
References	p. 508
16 Communicating with the Public	p. 511
Introduction	p. 511
Communications Approaches	p. 513
Educating Staff	p. 513
Face-to-Face Contact	p. 513
Involving Local Elected Officials	p. 514
Gathering Information Using an Odor Complaint Hotline	p. 514
Methods for Contacting the Public	p. 515
Communications Program	p. 519
Newsletters	p. 520
Community Meetings	p. 520
Plant Tours	p. 521
Citizens' Advisory Committee	p. 521
Giving Back to the Community	p. 522
References	p. 522
Index	p. 525

Available:*

On Order

Summary

Summary

Author Notes

Table of Contents