Influence of ventilation in H₂S exposure and emissions from a gravity sewer

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of natural ventilation and intermittent pumping events in hydrogen sulfide and methane dynamics, in terms of system operation and risk of gas exposure. Work was conducted in a full scale gravity sewer downstream of pumping stations, in Portugal. Different ventilation rates and locations were assessed, as well as H₂S removal rates and potential exposure risk, through the opening of distinct manhole covers. Increased ventilation, resulting from opening of one manhole cover, saw a 38% increase in average pipe air velocity peaks, doubling the estimated rate of air turnovers per day, accompanied by an increase of nearly 20% in H₂S average removal rate. Simultaneous opening of two manhole covers induced similar airflow rates through the vent stack, but different rates throughout the pipe. H₂S removal rates were also found to differ, according to location of open manholes, but also initial H₂S headspace concentration. Under more unfavourable conditions, natural ventilation did not suffice in attaining recommended safety concentrations, regardless of number and location of open manhole covers. H₂S concentrations above defined thresholds were verified for all studied setups. Headspace oxygen concentrations below an 18.5% asphyxiation threshold also occasionally occurred, even at manholes immediately downstream of ventilation point.