r!_ -.
ODOR CONTROL I
Containment Methods
for Odor Control Systems
in Wastewater Plants
oncainment and procc::s11ing of
odors. as well as t::mi'>sions of
voes (volatile organic com-
pow1ds) and HAPs (hazardous air pol-
lumnts). whetht::r n:gulatory-<.Jrivco or
good neighbor-/community-tlrivc::n.
are forcin~ municipal and industrial
wastewater faciUties to evaluate and
re-formulate their processes so they
can achieve the mandated or desired
atmospheric emis.'>ion lt:veb. Obvi-
ously the ch oice of any specific
method of containment will have a
si~cant effect on the cost, perfor-
mance and 'iuccess of the odor con-
trol system installed.
The 1990 Clean Air Act specifies
and lists the HAPs and VOCs and
requires the USEPA to set maximum
aUowahle emission stand:m.b for all
major <>nur<:es of emissions. To date.
the most prominent regulations have
ht::t::n CFR 40 part 61 NE~HAP
(National Emission Standard~ for
Hazardou!l Air Pollutant~). with stan-
dards for specific indu11tries and
applications being continually issued
and modified.
Compliance with the new regula-
tions will affect the economics of
waste~ter treatment facilities in a
substantial wa} . The impact will be
in the form of
Costly upgrades and inMallation
of major equipment.
Tr.1.ininl(, monitoring and com-
pliance:: with new regulations
Process changel) to achieve
reduction. containment and
processing of the offt::nding
components.
Si,jitnificam lncre:1ses in opera-
tional costs.
It is expectc::cJ that the higher
operational anu n:gulatory costs will
overshadow tht:: initial capital costi.
rapidly. Operational costs will. to a
large:: extent. be accounted for by
chemicals, filtering and scrubbing
media. training activities. record
keeping, testing and monitoring. But
hy far the biggest portion will be in
the form of electrical and other utili-
ty outlays that will be needed to
oper.ite this extensive transforma-
tion. Fans, blowers and scrubbers
will have to handJe and process huge
volumes of air if the facility is to meet
iti. regulatory compliance goab.
The types of covers over process
units and the mt::thod of contain-
ment selected can have the most sig-
nificant impact on tht::~e costs and
will affect
Air volumes, which will in ni.rn
influence process equipment
capacity, cype of media, and
t'lectric power consumption.
Whcrller spaces and areas will
be subject to safety-related re~
uJations. such as confined space
rules and their effect on cost!>
am! operations.
Process access am.I equipment
maintenance. wbich wiU fur-
ther influence: operational
costs.
Emission reduction can be
achieved in part through proc~s
changc::s, for aample, hr adding
chemicals upstream. reducing turbu-
lence. or slowing down the entire
tre-atmenc process. Factors such as
combined sewer overflow (CSO)
reguJations, growth in population.
C.kan Water Act. requirements for
secondary and tertiary proce~~ lev-
els, real-estate:: restrictions, and d1e
ever-present N.LM.B.Y. syndrome.
all put additional constraints on
existing plants.
Containment and downstream
processing of the offending elements
would appear to be the corrective
par.11 of choice. Noc only is the tech-
nology to <tccomplish 1.his availahle,
In many cases il wou1c.J allow for
capacity increases in e::-..isting plrults.
Facilities that have heen forced to
lower thmughputs and slow down
aeration and other process mtcs to
avoid or reduce undesirable emiir-
sions. potentially can reverse these
actions through appropriate:: contain-
ment and process tc::chnology.
Various regulations affect the::
need. mt::th<XI and other aspects of
containmc::nt of hazardous emi~ion11
from wa!>tt::water facititie~. The::
Ckan Air Act defmes areas and
processes that require containment
measures; OSHA d.eals with safery-
relatcd issues of contained and cov-
ered arc::as. NFPA 820 deals with fire
protection. explosion potential. ancJ
vc:ntllation of covered and non-cov-
ered areas. These reguJations must
be incorporated into projects lhat
consider containmc::nt alternatives.
~etting the:: goals for a wai-;tewatc::r
emissions containment project must
take into account the myriad of rc:g-
ulatiooi. that exist. TI1ey must be
<::valuated am.I balanced in a total
sense, so that compllilnce with aU.
and not just some. is achieved. TI1c::
relationships among economics, c::ffi-
ciency anc.J successful plant opera-
tion also have to be weighed into the
finaJ solution.
While the containment system
chosen may represc::nt only a fraction
of total project cost. the mechou of
concainment :tnd the covers speci
fied will significantly inlluence other
components or factors. A successful
dc::sign project will attain the follow-
ing goals:

Rat coven; on wastewater plant process tanks ccntam the odors and gases generatect in them but ara an
unobtruSJve addition to tha faol1ty
I. Ctmtalnme11t: Offt'nwng are-.15 tlow rates are absolutely essential in
must be totally co ntainc:d dficimtly. a propt'rly functioning emii..-;ion and
l. Air Hmulling: Maximi1c the odor control system.
effidency of the air ham.llin~ system<, l.argc volumes of low p~ure.
through the reduction of the total constantly tlo'wing air are required in
volume to he handled. wastewater treatmt'nt plants Once
Concain air a., dos<.' as possible volume and pressure requiremcnL-;
to the water level. have been determined. the handling
Rc<luce ventilation rnce by diru- equipment can be selected after the
inating requirements associated air volumes. leakage mtes and air
with routim: cmry into process exchange rates are cstabHshcd Most
..race)>. <.' mission source.-, in wastewater !>'}"11-
lJ1staU a .,yi.tem frt't' of crack!>. tcm., an: treated by mean~ of an
gap!>. am.I othc:r unnecessary activelr ventilated system usin!t a fan
openings that wW limit its abili- or hlower to induce air movt'ment
ty to m:tintain a slightly ne~ative ovt'r the proc.:ess an:a. conveying llle
internal prt'Ssure. ~tir t'ither to otht'r parts of the pl.ant o r
3. ll'orker Safe~1 1: Eliminatt' dan- through a proces~ unit. This requires a
~erou!> workilig conditions such as corn..lant low negative prt:.'isure. Typi-
unsafe platfom1s aod confined spaces. caUy, air is replaci::d so that now rates
t . Accessibility: Ensure thac cov- and pressure can be regulated.
ered area' are t"asily acccssibk for 111e source and method of air
monitoring the treatmc:nt proccso;. rcplacemeot is exrremcly important
Provide t'asy aCl:c:so; to equipment Ideally. air is to be replaced through
for prcvenri\c maintenance and controlled ,-cmi.lation points and vac-
rt'pair tas ks. uum relief opening!>. An d'kctht'
'i Plant Opernlirms Make provi- active ventilation syscem must take
sion for miJtimum interruption of into account lht' negativt' air pressUI'('
plant operations by any cover-relat- requll:ementll of tht:: emi.~ion sourc.:c
ed acrivit:)'. Elimi.nacc pemlitting and as well as lhe desired maxinlllm voe
training nt'cdo;. access restrictions. concentration within the s ysccm.
unsafe platforms, or special cquip- Insufficient negative pressure may
mc n t/per'ion nc I requirements to allow fugitive i::missions to escape to
facilitate cover removal. atmosphere. ;ts well a!> improper air
txchanges that could lead to fin: or
Factors Anectlng the Selection explosion hazards. lmpropt::r air
of a Containment System exchanges and llea<l air pockets will
cause severt' corrosion problems. par-
Ai' Handling ticufa.rly in the case: of concrete. Dead
Controlled vcntilat ion and air air spaces cannot he allowed to occur
or large chunks of concl"t'te will be
eroded away by high concentrations
of 'iulfuric acid Conned by hydrogen
sulfidt' gas. Too high a nt:"gative pres-
~ure will caw.e cxa.ssivc: air flow and
increases the cost of treating tbc emi~
.;ions. Proper control of cbe air flow.,
\'olumt" and velocity are impcrativt'S if
Cht' sy-;tem b to mn successfully.
Ideally. <lirflow should be: main-
taim:<l at the: point where the'. maxi-
mum -;aft: c oncentration of VOC!> is
<lt'livcred to a control <levic::e, and at
tht' 111.ini.L11um negativt' pressure to
produce :m in-draft condition at all
wastcwatc:r flow rates. Normally,
<:"ither voe concentration or the
negative prc:s.'iure requirements will
dictate the: dc~i~n flow . If the air
now rate is ~C:l by I.he ncgatiVt' preS-
SUrt', then !>ealing gaps and cr.ick..-; is
e SSt'lltial. lf V0Cs detennine the air
flow rate. then the system must be
regulated co ensure that adequate air
is drawn into the contained space to
di.lute the voe concentrations. Jn
any event. it b imperative chat tht'
system's air How and tightness he
regulated and controlled.
The ~izt:: of the air handling
equipment in wastewater applica-
tions can be reduced in the follow-
ing wayll:
Reduce tlie lcakaf.te'. rate of the
system.
Reduc<.- the air voJumc hy
designin~ a sy-;tem that requirc:s
the kast volume of air and area
to be trc:atc:<l.
C.hangt' the system configura-
tion to reduce the number of
air t'xchanges mandated by
regulation.
Leakage du<.: to poor lit and deti-
dent design will afft'ct both the size
oft.he equipment and the o perational
costs. The geometric configuratjon
of the containment components is a
majo r factor in tht' design of the
Cntin: air ham.lling S}'Stem. Low pro-
file srructur~ are more effioent tltan
full ht::ight 'Lructures. Flat covers
place<l a:. low as possible and as close
as po-;sible to the emission source
havt' bt't'O shown to be extremely
t'fft'ctive. and po ssibly the: most effi-
<:ient met hod of <:ontaimnent.
NFPA 820 ;tnd OSI-L.\ 19!0.1-lo
concern them-;cfve~ with the rate of
air e x c:hangt:'.!- within thc~t' con-
tained and cmered ;ucas. for the
sake of air quality and breathing and
asphr xiation considerations. as well
 Component Item Non-rigid Semi-rigid Raised Flat non- Flat tight
systems systems systems tight systems systems

Air Handling Volume of air Average Above Very high Above Lowest
to be exchanged average average
Attainable degree Difficult Not possible Average Not possible Best
of tightness
Equipment costs Minimal High Very high High Low
Operational costs Minimal High Very high High Low
Safety Capital equipment Not Not Applicable Not Not
costs applicable applicable applicable applicable
Operational Not Not Applicable Not Not
Equipment costs applicable applicable applicable applicable
Operational costs Not Not Very high Not Not
applicable applicable applicable applicable
Operator safety Unsafe Unsafe Unsafe Not Not
applicable applicable
Plant Operation Access monitoring Difficult Average Mixed/paten- Easy Easy
& Mamtenance and inspection tially limited

Major repair Difficult Difficult Very diHioult Easy Easy

~ .
Corrosion Above Above Above Above Below
average average average average average
I II . I

as com:entration~ of e..xpJoshe g:l.!.e~.
Area~ Lhal require cntrr for routine
equipment and process monitoring
not onl) . by t.le~ign . ha\'"c: a h1rger
volumetric space. but require air 10
he exchanged a nrn1mrnm of 12 IO
16 tiIDC!t pt'.'r hour. At the same::
time. art'.'a~ not requiring entry wiJI
need four to six air exchanges per
hour. A!t a rule, covered art'.'a!t
where c:nu1 is ndther allowed nor
needed will require air to be
exchanged al a ratt'.' 1hat is 50 to 7'5
percent l ower thao areas that must
be: entered for process control and
maintenance: activities.
Large volume~ of a.ir will .l'esulr in
adclitiomtl one-time <:01tts for larger
air bandUng equipment (fans, blow-
ers. scrubbt:r1t, ducts, etc.) alon~
witb heavier in-plant power cran~
mission and switc11gear require-
ments. Operational costs will be the
grt'.'atesl cost factor. The l;trgt'.'r vol-
ume~ of air will affect majmeo:ince
costs, as well as dh.posabk air filcra
tion products such as carbon and
scnibber media. ~inc<: wastewater
Lrearmi.:m facilities typically operate
continuow.l~ around the clock an<]
on a year-round hasi!., even the mo!tt
mode~I gains in air DlOl-ing efficien-
cy can have significant tlnancial ben-
dirs. A dt'.'sign combining lower vol
umes, a minimum nurnher of air
exchanges. a hi.h degree of contain-
mem. and minimal air leakage clear-
ly approaches the conditions
required for the ideal cover and con-
lainment system.
llllty
Safety concerns should be carefuJ-
ly addressed . Coven., particularly flat
covers, should be sturdy and not
require railings or other acces~ories
which might re!.trict access. Design-
cn. should provide access in the
form of hatches, v<:ms and porll>. Flat
cuvcrs should he lightweight and
not exceed 150 lb per unit, within
the 7'5 lb ma.'\.imum lift for a single
person a~ aJlow;ible under OSHA
regulations, while not requiring spe-
cial lifting equ.lpmc:nt. Forward look-
ing designers shoul d limit cover
weight tu 100 Lb per unit in anticipa-
tion of newly-contemplated OSIIA
workplace regulations limiting maxi-
mum :tl.lowal>Je lifting weight to he
50 lb per worker. lbrse require
menls for strong lightweight dear-
span covers should favor marine
grade corrosion resistant aluminum
as the material of c:onstruction.
Containment systt'.':01~ incorporat-
lng .rai'Setl structures ~hould be eval-
uated to determine if they might be
defint:tl as confim:d spaces. Once a
space has been designate<.! as con-
fine<l, con~idt:r.i.tioos other 1han air
handling mul>l be taken into
account. One-time equipment co~ts
in tlll form of, for instance, saft:t y
suits. portable air breathing appar.i.-
rus, lights, alarms. gas and i1ir quality
monitoring equipment, ant.I prenti-
ums paid for explosion-proof moLOrs
and junction boxc:. should be be fac-
tored inlO the inittaJ purchase price.
The: added operational costs associ-
ated wich confined spaces will far
exceed any dlffercn ti:tl ill initial
eguipmenr costs. Permittin and
record keeping tasks. training and
safery drills, :ind hole watch rt:quire-
mcn~ arc: but three: of the mandated

Close-up of flat covers shows the modular fabrlcat1on sryle of these sysrems. and me ports 111ihlch allow
operaror access to selecre<:J equipment or process areas.
flinctiun:-. that :m: hound to influ-
ence costs signifkantly. The require-
ment that an artcndam be present
outside c...-ach time an entry is made
into the c01l.llne<.I 1'pace is the costli-
est requirement of all. The advan-
tage.... of dealing with :t covered area
that ii. not designated a confined
space can .1moum to suhsr<Lnli<ll
operational savings that may dwarf
the initial l:'.quipment cost.
Operation & Maintenance
While raised spaces. particularly
domes, offer convenient acce(,1' co
some equipment. particularly center
drh'es on ha.;ins with rotating am1~
of ~ome cype. Lht:y do have draw-
hacks. Scum wells. collection hoxc:-
antl wdr~ may not he easily accessi-
bk. Apparatu1' not dost: to the cen-
ter of the taok (particularly in circu-
lar domed applications) may not he
V('f'}' acccssihle from the central l.Jlle
rior area of the <>tnicturc:. Hatche:-.
and side openings may h:n.-e co he be
provided. so that inspection and
acce~!-t ar<: po:-.!>ihlc Flat cm-er.. can
provide acccl-1' in the form of l>Wing
hatche~ tlirc:cLly ahovc: piece!> of
equipment. They :ll!>o can lower
nrnimenance cosl'S hy isolatin~
bridgt:s and railings from the corro
sive environments frequently found
insid( the contained areas in waste-
\Yatcr trcatmt'nt plant1'. On the occa-
sions that drive:!' and other mcdia-
ohms nt'ed to he auended to or
removed. the <fjsmantling and accc~
provisions of a raised stmcture can
be considerably costlier rhan in the
utst' of Oat covers. The removal of a
dome may involve the sc::rvkc!I of
contracted, specially trained factory
per..onncl for removal am.I for rcin-
stallation On the other han<.I flat
covers usnally can be removed and
reinstalled hy plant worken. for a rd
ativdy low col>t.
Methods of Containment
Typically the lease costly method
of ~:ontainment is a no11-rigicl sys/em
usin~ film. memhrant'. or fabric
place<.! over the offending area.
Opemtionall~. it is difficult to main-
tain a negative air pressure without
cau:-.ing the system to collapst:.
While it may he possjbJe to achieve a
high degree of Lightness, the attain-
ml.'.lll of the required air circulation.
however. is vt:ry difficult to achieve.
111is type of system is rcstrk:tive as
far as access is concerned, if not Olli
riHht dangerous. Sin,e it c;mnol sup-
port any weight, loads <:aused by
... now or rain, and certainly by plant
pt:r'ionnel. the '>ystem mll'it be con-
sidered a non-acce'isihlc , opera-
tionally restricted are-.1. Furthermore.
the removal and i.nstaUauon proce-
dt1rC1' requin:d. a1' well as pos!>ible
frc<1uent n:pair of rears in the mater-
ial. make tJ1e choice of such a system
impractical in many designs.
!)emi-1igid systems have been used
in designs for cove1ing areas where
instniments and otht:r components
have to he supportt:d. but they offer
neither rigid.it}' noT containment
c:1pahility. Any typt." of planking in
the fonn of com1gated light wcight
ste::d, aluminum, fibe~lass nr wood
shouh..I he dhcoumged. Their l~t: can
result in a a dangerous pfatfonn that
lack:-. good containment properties.
These featur~. along with the hi~her
operational costs that tend to he a."1><>-
ciatcd with non-tight installations,
'l:thoulcl he factored into the design
and selection equation.
Roisetl tigid structures arc com-
monly used in odor control installa-
tions anti do offer high containment
efficiencies. But their operating
costs tend to be on the hi!-th side.
They require bigger air handling
components such as larger fans,
blowers. ducts. and scrubber.,. and
hc...--avier-duty electrical accessories
and wiring. Gnater outJayl> for elec-
tricity, maintenance nee<l<i, ehemi-
rnls and neutralizing media follow .
Raised structures offer good <tccess
for 0 & M tasks required for equip-
ment located at tht'. center of the
contained area. but poor access if
major work ii. called for. A'l:t a result
of tbc large volumetric space. they
contain atmospheres that can he
excessively corrosive to equipment
ahove the water le\' t:I in the process
ha.c;ins covc::rro. for example hridge~.
railing~. motor housings etc. Raised
~tructurei. cover in most c<t'l:tCI- what
:ire t.ldined a~ pennit rt'qui1ing con-
fined space arc.ii., and ai. 1'UCh will be
subject to addiUoual one Lime safety-
related equipment costs. Structures
del>ignated as confined spaces also
will incur cost:. caused by the oblig-
atory permitting, training, and hole
warcb regulatory requirements.
Flat t'OL'ers offer safety features.
reduced air volumes, good access
lhrough hatches and openings
directly over equipment. Relarively
low eq uipmt'm costs arc: due to tJ1e
smaller air volume~ that result from
the geometric configurt1lion and the
smaUer number of requin:d air
cxchan~C-"S. flat covers also can elim-
inate the need for compliance with
confined space regulations. Further-
more. they offer good acct'S1> for
major equipment maintenance and
removal. However. the::y may Jack air
lightness. Th<: inherent design of a
system constructed of modular cov-
ers, limifed by welghc. and mandated
to be easily removable. creates a
strncturc:: chat concai ns many crackl>
and gap., hetween its components.
Flat <:over.- are meant to he modular
and their ~t:gments relatively small tu
Ra1sed dome sys/em
1. Raised dome structure
2. Fresh str forr:ed 1n by fans enters the system through enlarged rn/Bke 00tn ts
3 Unsafe conlrned space with concentrations of voesand HAPs
4 Ovars1zecf ducts needed to handle larger volume of air
5. Oversl1ed fans needed to handle larger volume of air
6 Oversized treatment units needed ro handle larger volume
7 Uneven air exchange wifh large concentration of fresh air
8 Confined space permit entry area
Non-t1ghc system
Flesh AJr 0 VOCs, HAPs, odorous gases C)'pt: carrks I.ht' procc.~ an cx1r.1
stt:p. addin~ to the feacun::.
oqo
00
0
dt:i.crihed abO\ c:: the most importanl
00
characterh-iic of lightnt:!>t:.. Even the
slightest gaps ('/,;.in.) bt'.twet:n cov-
crs-wlut may he acceptabk' com-
mercial tolerance-will have a major
nc:~ativc- effect on npcracini;t coM~.
The insistence on tijU1tness should
not he waived, and claims ~uch a:.
uti.r tight ~ or -~uh:,t~Ultiall}' air tight'
!>hould he investigated thoroughly. A
proper!~ dc::i.igncd S)'~tc::m "';11 havc::
no air gaps. whether by 1.k!>ign (or
desiRn deJkic::ncu:s) or mherwiSt:. a:-.
Jotaps cause si~nificant reductions in
it.... odor control pcrforn1:mct'. A well
dt'!>i~ncd S}SteUl should :,t"aJ off the:.c:
~ap'i hy means of Kaskets or olhc::r
filler material , :thhough caulking as
" Fresh Air 0 VOCs. HAPS. odorous gases

..

...
O O QO

0
I NontJg/lt system with gaps and un-sealed jOtflts
2 Fresh air forced rn by fans enters the system through gaps between covetS
3. Uneven alf exchange may cause concenlratJon of gases thar can lead to em1s1ons ratlJer than
containment
4 Overs1z'd ducts needed to l1andle larger volume of air
5 Overs1zJ fans neJed to handle larger volume of a11
6. Oversized treatment units needed ro handle larger volume of Slf
7 Uneven alf excl'lange with large ccncentret1on of flTfsh a1r
Tight /lat covtJr system
t. light flat cover
2. Intake vent-controlled ventilation
3. Smaller duct stzed ro match reduCfld air votum6
4 Smaller flJll sizJ to match reduced air vOlume
5 Smaller S{;rubbers sized to facilitate reduced air volume
6. Atr exchange with mrnimsl amount of fresh Btr
not t:on-;idcrcd a~ an acccptahk
method of a<.:hieving Lightnt:ss.
.Basic !>'tc::ps should be taken to con-
fim1 I.hat the: t.lesign intc::nt is im.kc:d
maintained. whl.-n the actual s}stt:'m
i.. tin.-iUy delivered and iru.talle<l
Prior 10 vendor approval t.be
mechanical design of the co\ en.
!>thould be invc::stigated 1.bor-
oughly to determin(' the best
method for achit'Ving tighcnehlo.
f'\"idcnce in Lhc:: fom1 of ct:rti
fied t~cs and prior instaUatiom.
1ha1 used specification:, callin~
for an acccptahlc dcgrc::t:' of
tightness.
Befol'c:: installation. rc:rfor
mance tcM:. should bt: conduct
l'd on site:. tm small :,t:ctors con
, Fresh Air 0 VOCs, HAPs. Odorous gases
i.isting of multiple panel con.fig-
urarions. Watc:rtigbtness and
smokt' test!> are Ca!>'}' co conduct
and give an <:xce.lknt indil..aeion
of !>yMc::m air tigl.uneo;s.
Perform.mce tests earned out
on thc:: compkte S)'!>Ct'm will
indicate: if the .fidd in.-.taUation
v.orl. wai. done correl.L.ly.
Systl.!m tightn~~ unplit:'s tbt: abili
ty to control air flow, prm. e~.., air
exchange rates. and the mixture of
at.r and cont.rurunan.t:- for optimum
processing. It iS the only way to
cnM11c:: thac the s~ ~cem will opcratt'
to its intended design limit!>.

comply with weighr restrictiOll!'I. Thc::se ft:atun:!>t rc:::mlt in a :,yMc::m that

They arc nnt to he bolted to t':tch i~ le!>s effidc::nt
other to facilitate easy removal. At It ii. for this n:ason that flat covers
the same time they arc to provide for ca.n be de!>ignatet.l as typical flat c:ot'-
thcrmal comr.iction anti <"Xpanslon. ers and tight flat ccn:ers. n1e latter