Emissions of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) throughout wastewater biosolids processing

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 616-617; pp. 622 - 631
• Main Authors: Fisher, R.M., Le-Minh, N., Alvarez-Gaitan, J.P., Moore, S.J., Stuetz, R.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.03.2018
• Subjects: Biosolids; Emissions; Odours; Sludge; Volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs); Odours; Sludge; Volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs); Biosolids; Emissions
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.10.282

Volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) are important contributors to nuisance odours from the processing of wastewater sludge and biosolids. However, emission characteristics are difficult to predict as they vary between sites and are likely to be affected by biosolids processing configuration and operation. VSC emissions from biosolids throughout 6 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Sydney, Australia were examined in this study. H2S was the VSC found at the highest concentrations throughout the WWTPs, with concentrations ranging from 7 to 39,000μg/m3. Based on odour activity values (OAVs), H2S was typically also the most dominant odorant. However, methyl mercaptan (MeSH) was also found to be sensorially important in the biosolids storage areas given its low odour detection threshold (ODT). High concentrations of VOSCs such as MeSH in the storage areas were shown to potentially interfere with H2S measurements using the Jerome 631-X H2S sensor and these interferences should be investigated in more detail. The VSC composition of emissions varied throughout biosolids processing as well as between the different WWTPs. The primary sludge and biosolids after dewatering and during storage, were key stages producing nuisance odours as judged by the determination of OAVs. Cluster analysis was used to group sampling locations according to VSC emissions. These groups were typically the dewatered and stored biosolids, primary and thickened primary sludge, and waste activated sludge (WAS), thickened WAS, digested sludge and centrate. Effects of biosolids composition and process operation on VSC emissions were evaluated using best subset regression. Emissions from the primary sludge were dominated by H2S and appeared to be affected by the presence of organic matter, pH and Fe content. While volatile organic sulfur compounds (VOSCs) emitted from the produced biosolids were shown to be correlated with upstream factors such as Fe and Al salt dosing, anaerobic digestion and dewatering parameters. [Display omitted] •H2S and methyl mercaptan were key odorants detected above olfactory thresholds•Primary sludge, dewatered and stored biosolids emitted highest VSC concentrations•Intra and inter site variability in VSC emissions were observed•H2S emissions from the primary sludge were related to Fe dosing and organic matter•Volatile organic sulfur compounds related to Fe/Al ratio and digester performance