Odours and Volatile Emissions

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We address sustainable management of environmental nuisance odours and air emissions (i.e. volatile organic compounds, smog, biogas, and greenhouse gases). Our SG brings together specialist researchers and professionals from a range of sectors, including municipals, consulting, government and non-government agencies, universities, waste management, composters, odour abatement equipment manufacturers, and other industrial and agricultural sectors. Together we exchange strategies, planning approaches, operational experiences, advances, innovations, initiatives and results. We provide expertise in odours, air emissions, sampling, measurement, odour control operations/maintenance, and bio filtration, along with other related services.

Our focus in terms of topics: innovation in the areas of odour measurement, odour impacts predictions, viable and sustainable odour control and management systems, and using innovations to turn the odour generation site into a revenue generator for the owner.

It is not possible to site a new Wastewater Facility without proper odour control and many existing plants are having public nuisance issues to deal with since the public is moving closer to these type of facilities.  Also, these plants are a source of air quality concerns and/or potential for reducing GHGs. It needs to make these types of plants a revenue generator and not taker for the owners.   Therefore, some of the core issues the group covers include Nuisance Odour assessment, measurement, sampling, control, outreach, and management.  We are also looking at sustainable solutions to air quality, odour nuisances, and GHGs management and leadership.

We are currently focusing on confirming best practices in above mentioned areas and broadening targeted new odourants that are present after we successful control known nuisance odourants (i.e. sulfur based compounds, educed sulfur based compounds, ammonia, and amines, etc.).

Key innovation/technology/development or hot topic that will be transformational in this field:

Assist with proper odour abatement the conversion of these wastewater treatment plants into revenue generators and not takers for the owners.  Continue to enhance and develop better odourant measurement approaches and sampling results that reach beyond traditional odourants, enhancing biotechnology to effectively manage the full odorant compounds spectrum, and heavy focus on collection system odours and related corrosion concerns.