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Odor Control Biofilter Microbiology

1/13/2016

 
Waste treatment systems often have odor complaints at lift-stations, headworks, and primary clarifiers as influent wastes with high levels of sulfides, hydrogen sulfide, mercaptans, and volatile organic compounds experience mixing which increases atmospheric volatiliazation. Frequent control options include covering the area with a physical barrier and spraying perfumes or masking agents. A newer option for the most offensive areas is the construction of a biological filter that is designed to culture microbes that remove the most offensive compounds from the atmosphere.

In this post, I am going to discuss the microbiology of atmospheric treatment and how these towers all work on a biochemical level. In general, the towers are all based on a biofilm growing on a support media. The media allows for biofilm development with the biofilm receiving energy from sulfides and volatile organics. The other nutrients, pH controls, oxygen and moisture are maintained via water recirculation over the media.
Biologically the towers usually support two distinct communities of microbes.

First, are the chemo-autotrophic organisms that oxidize reduced sulfur species for energy and use carbon dioxide as their carbon source. This group is often referred to as Thiobacillus, Starkeya, or Thiosphaera sp. This group of microbes can oxidize reduced sulfur into elemental and sulfate forms. This process releases acids which are often associated with concrete degradation. In the biotower, we manage the pH to keep it in the ideal range for sulfide oxidizing microbes usually a pH of 3.5 – 6.5.

A second group of microbes that can metabolize short-chain volatile fatty acids (acetic, butyric, propionic) and mercaptans are also present. This group of microbes are often discussed as we often view odors as coming from H2S. However, in many systems the organic acids are a greater problem. In this case the biotower will favor the heterotrophic organisms which required a slightly higher ideal pH. Usually these microbes thrive from 6.0 – 8.5. 

Additionally, several organisms are known to both degrade short chain volatile organics and oxidize sulfides. In some biofilters, it is beneficial to add concentrates of these cultures to rapidly colonize the media with a biofilm capable of addressing both the sulfide and organic acids. This ability to add cultures is obviously beneficial in reducing startup time, but it is also an effective option in building a biofilm in filters with high seasonal loading variation or where the biofilm integrity was compromised by mechanical failure.

Ecoex-OdourControl link
11/4/2016 04:09:20 am

That’s interesting to read…

Also it's an informative article.With the increasing realization about clean and healthy environment, most of the industries are looking forward to install exceptional odour control systems.Biofiltration is a reliable procedure that effectively alters harmful pollutants into smaller, harmless particles. Thus, biofilters are widely purchased by the majority of the industrial owners to keep the workplace hygienic and free from any sort of foul odor.

odor control link
9/25/2020 08:51:11 am

I strongly agree, thank yo for sharing.This article is very beneficial to all the readers. Great work.


Comments are closed.

    Author

    Erik Rumbaugh has been involved in biological waste treatment for over 20 years. He has worked with industrial and municipal wastewater  facilities to ensure optimal performance of their treatment systems. He is a founder of Aster Bio (www.asterbio.com) specializing in biological waste treatment.

    View my profile on LinkedIn

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