Elimination of sludge odor by oxidizing sulfur-containing compounds with ferrate(VI)

Sulfur-containing compounds are one kind of odorant found in sewage treatment works, composting plants, refuse storage and transfer, landfill sites, and associated with various industries. In the present research, the reaction kinetics of ferrate(VI) (Fe(VI)O4(-), Fe(VI)) with 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT), thiosemicarbazide (NH2NHC(S)NH2, TSC), and thiourea dioxide (NH2C(SO2)NH2, TUDO) were studied under alkaline conditions. Stoichiometryof Fe(VI) oxidation with hydrogen sulfide (H2S), TSC, and methyl mercaptan (CH3SH) were determined at neutral and alkaline pH (7.0-11.0). Stoichiometric molar ratios ([Fe(VI):[S]) were determined to be 2.5, 2.0, and 4.6 for sulfide, TSC, and CH3SH, respectively, at pH 9.0. TUDO and methyl sulfonic acid (CH3SO3H) were identified to be the main intermediates of TSC and CH3SH reactions with Fe(VI), respectively, at pH 9.0, while sulfate was one of the final products. A reaction scheme is given to explain the intermediates and products formed in the CH3SH degradation by Fe(VI). Experiments were also conducted to evaluate the odor emission of digested sludge from sewage treatment works in terms of chemical concentration and also odor concentration affected by the Fe(VI) dose. The potential of using Fe(VI) to achieve odor control in sludge treatment is briefly discussed.