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Integrated odour modelling for sewage treatment works
P Gostelow1, S A Parsons, M Lovell
1School of Water Sciences, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK. P.Gostelow@cranfield.ac.uk
Summary
Integrated odour models predict environmental annoyance from sewage works by accounting for liquid-phase transformations and emissions. This approach reveals significant variability in emission rates, impacting annoyance predictions.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Engineering
- Atmospheric Chemistry
- Public Health
Background:
- Odours from sewage treatment works cause significant environmental annoyance.
- Current odour modelling often focuses on atmospheric transport, neglecting other critical stages.
- A comprehensive approach is needed to assess and mitigate odour-related issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop integrated odour models for predicting annoyance.
- To describe liquid-phase transformations and hydrogen sulphide emission from sewage treatment.
- To provide model outputs for integration with dispersion models for annoyance probability assessment.
Main Methods:
- Development of integrated models incorporating liquid-phase processes and emissions.
- Application of models to hypothetical and real sewage treatment works.
- Simulation of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) formation, transfer, and emission.
Main Results:
- Models describe liquid-phase transformations and H2S emission.
- Simulation results show significant variability in emission rates due to flow, quality, and meteorological factors.
- Emission rate variability, often overlooked, substantially affects annoyance predictions.
Conclusions:
- Integrated odour modelling is crucial for accurate annoyance prediction.
- Variability in sewage treatment works emission rates must be considered.
- Further research should focus on analytical-sensory links and dose/response relationships for odour annoyance.