Different alternatives exist for the removal of odours and other volatile compounds from waste gases. On one side, non-biological processes can be used (mainly absorption, adsorption, and oxidation processes)

C. Kennes, H.N. Abubackar y M.C. Veiga

 La Coruña (UDC) University, Campus da Zapateira – Ingeniería Química, Rua da Fraga 10, E – 15008 – La Coruña, España. Tel.: 34-981-167000; Fax.: 34-981-167065; Kennes_at_ udc.es

Keywords: Bioreactor, biofilter, bioscrubber, trickling filter, odours, air diffusion bioreactor.

Abstract

Different alternatives exist for the removal of odours and other volatile compounds from waste gases. On one side, non-biological processes can be used (mainly absorption, adsorption, and oxidation processes) and, on the other side, bioprocesses can be used.

The present study focuses on biological processes and presents the most important characteristics of the main technologies available on the market for the treatment of odours and the removal of volatiles pollutants from waste gases.

Selection criteria for odour abatement technologies have been traditionally economic and based on the flow rate to be treated, odour concentration (or of a certain surrogate such as H₂S) and removal efficiency. However, nowadays social and environmental aspects are starting to gain importance

J. M. Estrada¹, B. Kraakman^2,3, G. Quijano¹, R. Lebrero¹, R. Muñoz¹

¹ Valladolid University, Department of Chemical Engineering and Environment Technology

² CH2M HILL Australia

³ Delft University of Technology, Department of Biotechnology

Keywords: adsorption, biofiltration, chemical scrubber, environmental impact, odour abatement, operating costs.

Abstract

Selection criteria for odour abatement technologies have been traditionally economic and based on the flow rate to be treated, odour concentration (or of a certain surrogate such as H₂S) and removal efficiency. However, nowadays social and environmental aspects are starting to gain importance.

Odour abatement systems are designed to operate over long periods of time (20-30 years) and under dynamic scenarios and conditions. Therefore, an economic analysis of sensitivity of the operating costs towards different design and operational parameters is crucial.