Investigating the dynamics of volatile sulfur compound emission from primary systems at a water resource recovery facility
- 1 February 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in Water Environment Research
- Vol. 93 (2), 316-327
- https://doi.org/10.1002/wer.1417
Abstract
This study quantifies volatile sulfur compound (VSC) emissions from primary settling tanks and investigates their mechanisms of generation. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and methyl mercaptan (MM) concentrations in the off-gas were dominant among the VSCs analyzed, while dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) were under their odor threshold for most sampling dates. H2S emission in primary settling tanks was mainly the result of the stripping of dissolved sulfide (64%) generated in the sewers. Results indicate that MM emission was more dependent on the conditions in the primary clarifiers (only 16% stripping). Prevention of odor emission in primary settling tanks can be achieved by managing biofilms and microbial reactions in the sewer network. Controlling the biomass seeding and fermentation product availability in the primary settling tanks is essential to significantly minimize the kinetics of H2S and MM generation. Overall, the management of sludge blanket heights and thus avoiding time at low oxidation-reduction potential minimized odor emission independent of sewer conditions. Practitioner points H2S emission from primary clarifiers mainly originated from the stripping of the dissolved sulfide formed in the sewers. MM emission contributed for 89% to overall odor emitted from primary clarifiers. Seeding of active biomass from the sewer into the primary clarifiers was be the main driver for both MM and H2S formation. Increased availability of fermentation products or fermenters increased MM production.Funding Information
- District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority
This publication has 31 references indexed in Scilit:
- Emission Characteristics and Factors of Selected Odorous Compounds at a Wastewater Treatment PlantSensors, 2009
- Emissions of reduced sulphur compounds from the surface of primary and secondary wastewater clarifiers at a Kraft MillEnvironmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2008
- Dynamics and dynamic modelling of H2S production in sewer systemsWater Research, 2008
- Chemical and biological technologies for hydrogen sulfide emission control in sewer systems: A reviewWater Research, 2008
- The Analysis of the Total Sulphur Content of Wastewater Treatment Sludge by ICP-OESEnvironmental Engineering Science, 2006
- Kinetics of Sulfate Reduction in a Coastal Aquifer Contaminated with Petroleum HydrocarbonsBiogeochemistry, 2006
- Odor and air emissions control using biotechnology for both collection and wastewater treatment systemsChemical Engineering Journal, 2005
- Emission of Reduced Malodorous Sulfur Gases from Wastewater Treatment PlantsWater Environment Research, 1999
- General model for biological nutrient removal activated‐sludge systems: model presentationWater Environment Research, 1997
- Production of Volatile Sulfur Compounds by MicroorganismsAnnual Review of Microbiology, 1972