Presentation Abstract

The Kankakee (IL) River Metropolitan Agency (KRMA), at times, experiences odor complaints from the surrounding residents. Therefore, KRMA was interested in evaluating odor control alternatives to treat the gaseous odor emissions from their facility. An initial odor control report, prepared by others, recommended treatment of relatively large air volumes in several odorous areas of the plant for a total odor control improvement project cost of nearly $4.5 million (in 1996 Dollars). The projected costs were for odor control equipment and tank covers only. The original plan, which ventilated entire-room volumes, required treatment of approximately 103,000 scfm of odorous air.

In 2002, the initial odor control report was revisited prior to implementation of design and construction. Simultaneously, KRMA staff had identified the need to evaluate some of the original plant equipment for prioritized replacement. An alternative plan was developed that met odor control requirements by minimizing odorous air to be treated using a combination of passive odor control techniques (covering channels, minimizing turbulence), operational modifications and selecting enclosed-type process equipment that is specifically designed for odor containment. The alternative plan was able to reduce the odorous air required to be treated to around 30,000 scfm. A project was bid in August of 2004 for under $5 million that included both odor control improvements and selected equipment replacement.

This presentation will discuss methodology for focusing odor control efforts and compare strategies for addressing odor control. Techniques will be presented that show how to minimize odorous air to be treated using a combination of passive odor control techniques (covering channels, minimizing turbulence), operational modifications and selecting appropriate process equipment. We will also present the fundamental operation and design considerations for biological, chemical and adsorption-type odor control systems.