A review of sulfide emissions in sewer networks: overall approach and systemic modelling

The problems related to hydrogen sulfide in terms of deterioration of sewer networks, toxicity and odor nuisance have become very clear to the network stakeholders and the public. The hydraulic and (bio)chemical phenomena and parameters controlling sulfide formation, emission and their incidences in sewer networks are very complex. Recent research studies have been developed in gravity and pressure sewers and some transfer models have been published. Nevertheless, the models do not take into account all the physical phenomena influencing the emission process. After summing up the main scientific knowledge concerning the production, oxidation, transfer and emission processes, the present review includes: (i) a synthetic analysis of sulfide and hydrogen sulfide emission models in sewer networks, (ii) an estimation of their limit, (iii) perspectives to improve the modelling approach. It shows that sulfide formation and uptake models still need refinements especially for some phenomena such as liquid to gas mass transfer. Transfer models that have been published so far are purposely simplified and valid for simple systems. More efforts have to be undertaken in order to better understand the mechanisms and the dynamics of hydrogen sulfide production and emission in real conditions.