Posted by Thierry Page on Sun, May 26, 2013 @ 08:01 AM
Installation of a network of electronic noses combined to atmospheric dispersion software at a Municipal Solid Waste management site made it possible to validate the capability of such a system to provide an objective quantification, in real time, of the odor perceived by the neighbours. The site located in southern France included a sludge composting area and a landfill site, both generating odor emissions. It comprises four reception racks for the fresh sludge, a mixing area, a fermentation area and a maturation area.
Three electronic noses were positioned at the site in order to measure continuously the emissions of the three major odor sources: the windrows of the composting area, the fresh sludge storage area and the municipal solid waste of the landfill site.
The odor concentrations predicted by the odor monitoring system were compared with the responses of an odor observer committee that recorded the malodorous events perceived in the neighbourhood of the solid waste management site.
The observation results from the residents were compiled according to two criteria: the character (or type) of the odor and the level. The project ran from October 23 to February 25 the following year. For the 12 participating residents, a total of 10,056 observation data were recorded.
The comparison of these two groups of data showed that the odor monitoring system was able to evaluate the level of nuisances felt by the neighbours. When malodorous events were filed by the members of the committee, the electronic nose system had predicted significant odor levels.
Correlations could then be developed between the observations of the residents and the predictions of the odor monitoring system. The mean level of the neighbourhood exposure to odor-generating observations by the members of the committee was evaluated at 4.5 ou/m3.
This project was supported by the ADEME (French Env. Agency) in association with INERIS and conducted by AIRFOBEP.
Posted by Thierry Page on Fri, May 17, 2013 @ 12:06 PM
For 45 years, WasteExpo has been North America's largest solid waste and recycling tradeshow serving both the private and public sectors. This year Waste expo New Orleans innovates with a all-new Composting and Organics Recycling Conference Track.
Odotech is proud to present at the this Waste Expo’s 1st Annual Organics Recycling and Composting Conference Program | May 20-23, 2013 | New Orleans
We especially invite you to attend Tuesday, May 21 1:45 - 3:00 p.m. the session on Odor Control and Monitoring at Composting and Anaerobic Digestion Facilities and Landfills, Best Management Practices for Worker Health and Safety
- Developing a Composting Facility with Effective Odor Control.
- Odor Monitoring for Anaerobic Digestion, Composting and Landfills.
- Worker Safety and Health at Composting and Anaerobic Digestion Facilities
Come visit us at our booth 3303. Andrew Cowell (514 867-9558) will be galde to introduce you to our new OdoWatch version 4 for smart odor monitoring. Also featuring for the first time new smartphone app for odor recording enabling you to work with your community.
Posted by Thierry Page on Sun, Jan 27, 2013 @ 08:24 AM
Odors represent a growing concern for the organic waste industry. In general, nuisance odors can lower quality of life as they are the main perception of pollution (with dust and noise). As a matter of fact, 70% of air quality complaints are related to odors and they are a growing concern as cities encroach on plants.
Composting and anaerobic digestion plant managers have to deal with multiple odor emission sources
- Transport to site (route to site, waiting queue to reception)
- Reception of material
- Pre-treatment of material (bag opening, mechanical separation, mixing/homogenization)
- Transportation on-site
- Treatment process releases (composting, digestion, drying, etc.)
- Building envelope releases (fugitives)
- Biogas fugitive emissions
- Waste material and by-products management
- Waste water ponds
- Leachate accumulations
- Screening and blending
- Finished products management
The costs of dealing with odors are on the rise. Forced shutdowns, revoked or refused permits, fines and penalties, lawsuits and lawyers, massive investment in technology upgrades, daily operation & consumables costs and fraught relations with neighbouring residents are some good examples of this trend.
To address this situation, there is a need to understand the emission footprint of the facility, monitor sources for odors and develop an internal odor expertise (emission, control, dispersion, perception, etc.).
The USCC Composting Council’s Annual Conference hosts the largest trade show for the composting and organics recycling industry. The 21st Annual Conference and Tradeshow will be January 28-31 in Orlando, Florida at the Buena Vista Palace Hotel and Spa. The four-day event consists of a conference, trade show and culminates with live equipment demonstrations at the Orange County Landfill and Composting Facility.
Visit Odotech at booth #506, to see a functional model of the OdoWatchcomplete odor monitoring solution using eNose technology, for the composting industry. With over 40 references in this industry, Andrew Cowell, North American Sales Manager, will be present to answer your questions about OdoWatch and why Odotech is a leader in real-time smart odor management solutions for the composting industry.
Posted by Thierry Page on Tue, Sep 04, 2012 @ 04:34 PM
Organics are the #1 material recycled across Canada. This achievement reflects the progress of organics recycling amongst municipalities, businesses and institutions. And yet l, much more needs to be done. Compost advocates are invited to gather in Montreal September 19-21st for the 22nd annual National Compost Conference, an important time for learning, networking and updating our collective organics recycling efforts and vision for composting advances everywhere.
This year, the conference will provide advance days for additional training opportunities as well as offering a dynamic line-up of facility tours and presentations. We look forward to your contribution and involvement in this milestone event.
Pre-Conference Training Opportunities on ODOUR MANAGEMENT 101
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 18 th
The issue of odours on composting activities is becoming increasingly important. Residents' fears, justified or not, make the implementation of composting projects complex. Some sites have unfortunately had to cease their operations in response to odour concerns. However, the tools exist to improve project planning, communicate the impact of of odours and how to proactively manage actual odours to minimize them and the operating costs of composting platform.
Odour management is an area where many industrial and municipal composting operations face issues. Nevertheless, the subject of odour has received inadequate attention. Part of the reason for this is that operators do not know how to approach identifying and/or solving the problem. The idea behind an ‘odour course’ would be to provide some background and potential approaches to addressing odour issues.
Odour Management 101
Principles of odour science and odour control technology as well as measurement and observation techniques will be presented by Thierry Pagé during this day-long session spearheaded by Odotech, specialists in the measurement and monitoring of odours.
No prerequisites are required. A scientific or engineering background would be beneficial to the attendees.
Outline
1. The Science of odour perception and odour metrology
- Odour perception
- Odour and human health
- Odour measurement
- Odour sampling on composting sites
- Odour dispersion and modeling
2. Odour assessment
- Regulatory frameworks
- Odour impact
- Field monitoring
- Observer committees and community involvement
- Continuous monitoring
- Odour background assessment
- Case studies
3. Odour control
- Nontechnological approaches
- Chemicals
- Abatement techniques
Objectives
- Give attendees a good understanding of the state-of-the-art techniques for assessing odor problems.
- Provide a toolbox of approaches that could be used for odour management depending on the context.
- Present the range of elements required for odor master planning.
Audience
This course is designed for the professional involved in managing environmental odour issues for industrial or municipal operations and are concerned with being a good neighbour. Government agency personnel interested in problem-solving-oriented odour regulations would also find this course very useful.
22nd Annual National Compost Conference September 19-21, 2012
Delta Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC
Posted by Thierry Page on Sun, Jun 03, 2012 @ 08:42 AM
The French Magazine Pollution Atmospherique recently publishid an interesting article on the Odour impact assessment of an urban composting plant using an odour observer committee and comparison with atmospheric dispersion modeling results.
The odour impact assessment of an urban composting plant collocated with a landfill site was realized using observations and modeling. An odour committee composed of 43 observers was recruited and trained for perception and recognition of several types of odours in order to realize observations. Approximately 24% of observations revealed perception of an odour among which composting odours (46.4%) and biogas (22.3%) were the main odours perceived. Over 90% of composting odours were described as barely perceptible or of low intensity. It was observed that distance from emission sources has a significant impact on composting odour frequency exposure. Odour impact was also assessed based on sampling, olfactometric analysis and atmospheric dispersion modeling. A maximum odour exposure frequency of 30% of the monitoring period is estimated at the site’s limits, which is consistent with observations. A comparison of the observed and modeled composting odour exposure frequencies was carried out. Near the site, the performance of the odour dispersion model is good with a bias of less than 10%. The two methods used in this study to characterize the odour impact, either by odour observer committee and dispersion modeling, are considered complementary.
This study is one of the most comprehensive of its kind. The full article is in French and can be ordered on Pollution Atmospheric web site. If you would like more information in English, please contact us.
The main objective of the on site odor monitoring and surveillance program is to detect the impact of odors on neighbors by having them participate in any action undertaken by the operator or the municipality.
The odor monitoring and surveillance program consists of four streams:
- Monitoring study planning and development of a management system
- Selection, training and practicing with the citizens participating in the study
- Monitoring and supervision of study progress
- Statistical processing of collected results
Odotech offers six (6) or twelve (12) month programs.
Posted by Thierry Page on Fri, Apr 13, 2012 @ 07:50 AM
Odors and Air Pollutants 2012
This year’s Odors and Air Pollutants Conference will bring together environmental professionals from the technical and regulated communities to discuss state-of-the-art techniques for the assessment and control of odors and air pollutants while promoting the use and acceptance of effective innovative technologies. The conference will cater to the following technical session topics:
| Methods of Sampling, Measuring, and Estimating Emissions |
Odor and emission Control Systems |
| Odor Control Planning and Monitoring |
Biological Odor Control |
| Fate and Odor Modeling |
Innovative Technologies |
| Collection System Odors and Corrosion |
Design of Odor Control Systems |
| Emission from Biosolids |
Collection Systems Tunnel Ventilation |
Three presentations related to the use of OdoWatch - unique electronic nose odor monitoring technology – will be presented over the duration of this odor specialty conference.
The Relative Benefits of Dynamic vs Steady-State Continuous Odor Emissions Dispersion Monitoring for Multiple Sources, D. Froehlich , Pima County, AZ ; C. Mendes, Odotech
02E 11:30am Session 2: Planning for a Better Odor Tomorrow Monday, April 16 Room: 104 8:35am - 12:00pm
Using the Monitoring of Odors from a Biosolids Composting Site to Optimize the Process and Reduce the Costs D. Martin, T. Jean, Sede Environnement ; P. Micone, Odotech
07C 2:45pm Session 7: Biosolids Odors and Control: A Broad Perspective Tuesday, April 17 Room: 1:35pm - 5:00pm
Odor Control Using Chemical Dosing, Coupled with Odor Monitoring Electronic Noses on an Aeration Basin at a WWTP M. Feltner, A. Kennedy, J. Layne, Hampton Roads Sanitation District ; P. Neofotistos, US Peroxide ; T. Pagé, Odotech ; S. Paterson, Kruger
10D 11:00am Session 10: Innovative Approaches to Odor/Emissions Control and Estimating Wednesday, April 18 Room: 104 8:35am - 12:00pm
Come visit us at Booth: 114
Odotech will feature its patented technologies to see, track, monitor & manage odors 24/7 including eNoses and H2S detectors. Alerting operators during odor episodes give way to; proactive management; reduce complaints; chemical costs.
The conference will be held at the Kentucky International Convention Center
Louisville, Kentucky
Conference: April 15 –18, 2012
Exhibition: April 16–17, 2012
Cooperating Organizations:
Conference Brochure (PDF)
Posted by Sharon paterson on Tue, Mar 20, 2012 @ 04:36 PM
The Water Environment Federation’s Residuals and Biosolids Committee, in cooperation with the North Carolina Water Environment Association is sponsoring a specialty conference on residuals and biosolids management. This conference will highlight beneficial reuse options, science, and technologies currently available to leverage biosolids as a valuable resource.
Kruger is glad to sponsor this event and will feature OdoWatch, among other technologies. OdoWatch system's electronic nose is calibrated to "smell" odors and quantify them in odor units. With its unique ''odor alert'' capabilities, the real-time dispersion modeling provides site operators a step ahead in avoiding nuisance odor episodes in their community. OdoSulf is the first automated system designed specifically for Hydrogen Sulfide emissions. There will be a demo of OdoWatch available at the Kruger booth #111. Visit the booth and see the OdoWatch eNose respond to actual odor sources.
Residuals and Biosolids 2012: Advancing Residuals Management: Technologies and Applications
Raleigh Convention Center, Raleigh, North Carolina
Conference: March 25 - 28, 2012
Exhibition: March 26 - 27, 2012
Cooperating Organizations
Below are a few topic areas that will be part of the 2012 Conference.
|
A. Advances in Stabilization Technologies
B. Agricultural and Industrial Residuals Management
C. Bioenergy from Residuals
D. Biosolids Land Application, Land Reclamation and Nutrient Management
E. Building Public Support and Addressing Political and Media Issues
F. Climate Change/Greenhouse Gas Issues
G. Conditioning and Dewatering Technologies
H. Environmental Management Systems
I. Facilities Operation, Management and Planning
|
J. Future Opportunities and Emerging Technologies
K. Legislative, Regulatory and Legal Issues
L. Marketing of Biosolids and Residuals Products
M. Odor and Pathogen Control
N. Research and Development Activities
O. Southeast Regional Issues
P. Success Stories and Lessons Learned
Q. Sustainability
R. Thermal Processes
|
Donwload our last Odor Monitoring White Paper on biosolids composting Optimization
Posted by Veronique Cadieux on Thu, Sep 29, 2011 @ 02:05 PM
Case study:
Composting sites could generate odour nuisances in the environment if not operated optimally in terms of odour. The implementation of a continuous odour monitoring system, OdoWatch, based on e-nose technology allows operators to better understand how and when odour incidents occur and what actions can be taken to reduce emissions.
A continuous odour monitoring system, fitted with 5 e-noses, a weather station and an odour dispersion modelling software, was set up at one of the largest composting sites in Europe. Although several sources were identified from the beginning as being likely to generate odour nuisances, monitoring enabled the identification of the 0-3 week fermentation source as being responsible for 87% of the nuisances generated.
The operator’s efforts reduced odour nuisances which had increased by more than 40% over a 6-month period and by nearly 75% after 2 years. The nuisance level in inhabited areas was, to start with, relatively low, but was greatly reduced by the operator's diligence, using measurements made by the OdoWatch system in real time, and by continuous improvement of the techniques used.
Posted by Thierry Page on Sun, Aug 14, 2011 @ 04:51 PM
The Cap Ecologia site is located in the suburbs of Pau (France). The Syndicat Mixte de Traitement des Déchets (SMTD - joint waste treatment association) has 265 district members, representing about 280,000 inhabitants.
The platform includes several waste treatment and recovery sites: Composting (Lorek), Incineration (Sita), Wastewater Treatment (Veolia). Each activity is carried out by private operators through Public Service Delegations (PSD).
The issue
Although not systematic, olfactory nuisances may occur during the operation of the various site facilities. The onset, intensity or type of odour can generate concerns and uneasiness about these facilities. For residents, the assessment of the quality of the service provided by these facilities depends in part of their successful integration in the surrounding environment and the local community.
The identification and control of odours is a major challenge for the main contractors, who must:
- Promote the integration of the facilities within their environment;
- Preserve the comfort and tranquility of residents and communities.
The presence of nearby human activity, i) Shopping Center (500 meters), ii) other industries (200 meters), iii) Residences (1000 meters), lead to repeated complaints from neighboring residents. There was an inability to determine which of the activities of Cap Ecologia or any other industries were resulting in these odor complaints. As such, it was impossible to act proactively and promptly.
Objectives
- Equip the SMTD with a odour monitoring tool,
- Provide industrial managers with a self-control and optimisation tool for odour emissions,
- Reduce odour nuisances generated in and around the site.
Implementing an automated odour monitoring system
In 2009, Cap Ecologia was equipped with the first multi-site odour monitoring and management system in Europe. OdoWatch continuously measures odours from each important source of the purification plant and of the compost production and incineration facilities. The electronic noses developed by Odotech are similar to the human nose in that they react to the various odorant molecules that emanate from sources. They then translate the information into standardized measures (odour unit per cubic meter).
By merging meteorological data received from the weather station (supplied with the OdoWatch system) with those sent by the electronic noses, the system models the atmospheric dispersion of odours and displays the odour plumes (color coded according to concentration) superimposed on the site’s aerial map. Operators can then observe the respective plumes generated by each industrial site, in real-time or by consulting the archives.
Results
Wastewaster Plant:
- Optimization of the deodorization system
- No effects leading to a complaint
MUNICIPAL WASTE INCINERATOR:
- Better control of door openings
- Reduced number of complaints about household waste odours
COMPOSTING PLANT
- Clearance of the site as being responsible of the odour complaints
- Reduced number of smell episodes from composting
IN GENERAL:
Implementation of a procedure by the SMTD for complaint management practices
- Based on the OdoWatch system’s built-in early warning system
- Anticipation of complaints (from SMTD to industrial companies)
- Complaint Management (from Residents to SMTD)
“OdoWatch is used to self-monitor the site’s odour sources, and forecasts the production of odours, allowing the management and planning of operations and a rapid response in case of an incident, as well as the assessment of effective measures to help reduce odours.” The Bassin Est du Béarn Joint Waste Treatment Association and the Pau-Pyrénées Urban Community
Posted by Thierry Page on Tue, Jul 19, 2011 @ 08:41 PM
The composting and anaerobic digestion facility of Hera Vekst, one of the largest in Norway, processes over 25,000 tons of sludge and organic waste. It is located near the town of Elverum, 140 km north of Oslo (Norway).
Since its start-up, residents complain of odors generated by the facility’s activities. In order to better manage odor emissions, Hera Vekst’s site managers decided to install OdoScan, a continuous odor monitoring system.
The sludge treatment and organic waste process used on the site consists of two stages. First, the waste received is placed in enclosed digesters, where it is degraded under anaerobic conditions. The methane created is recycled to produce green electricity. The mixture then enters the composting phase. The gases produced during the composting phase are processed with an acidic chemical scrubber and two biofilters before being released into the atmosphere.
The continuous real-time odor dispersion modeling system known as OdoScan was installed in January of 2009. This tool, consisting of a weather station on site and an atmospheric dispersion modeling software designed specifically for odors, allows for the monitoring of the olfactory impact of the site activities on the environment in real time.
In addition to implementing OdoScan, they launched a campaign to call on all the site’s neighbors to help create a citizens’ committee (The Nose Panel). The objective was to link any events related to odors that are identified by local residents to the information provided by the OdoScan system with the purpose of identifying a pattern in the operating and weather conditions that create these odors.
Since the implementation of the system, Hera Vekst’s managers were able to reduce the complaints related to odors by more than 50%. This was achieved by integrating the odor management system with the site’s daily operations.
This project was carried out following collaborative work initiated by Axelera with Green Business Norway. Odotech, a member of Axelera since 2007, was able to engage in commercial activities in Norway by using this network.