WEF/AWWA Joint Residuals and Biosolids Management Conference 2007

INNOVATIVE BIOLOGICAL ODOR CONTROL ELIMINATES ODOR

COMPLAINTS AT MOUNT DORA, FL EAST SIDE WWTP

John Wyker, City of Mount Dora, FL 32757

Thomas Payne, Macrotek, Markham, ON Canada L3R 8H6
Christopher Hatch, River Bed Labs, Div. of Chemtron, St. Joseph, MO 63301
Patrick Anthony, Lantec Products, Norwood, MA 02062
James Eldridge, Lantec Products, 106 Access Road, Norwood, MA, 02062

ABSTRACT

The East Side water reclamation plant in Mt. Dora, Florida was experiencing frequent
odor complaints from neighbors in 2005. The headworks at the plant was identified as the
primary source of odors. Hydrogen sulfide levels in the wet well at the headworks
commonly measured 50 ppmv with frequent surges to 150 – 200 ppmv. A consortium of
several companies proposed that a biotrickling filter pilot unit designed to treat 500 cfm
(850 m3/hr) of air be installed at the plant to determine the feasibility of biological odor
control at the East Side plant. The system proposed uses HD Q-PAC® biological support
media. This media allows for the system to operate at much lower pressure drop vs.
alternative media. Also HD Q-PAC® has a low density, so in addition to low operating
expense the initial capital cost of a biotrickling filter based upon this media is much
lower vs. alternatives. The biology of biotrickling odor control is discussed in relation to
the media choices.

The system was started up in December of 2005. Typical H2S destruction data above
95% was achieved. The biotrickling system eliminated odor complaints from the
neighborhood around the East Side plant. Also, no odors where noted in the stack
emissions of the biotrickling system, even during surges in H2S in the gas being collected
from the wet well. The fact that no odor breakouts occurred is discussed in relationship to
the efficiency measurement. Recent advances in media support design vs. the all HD Q-
PAC® bed used in this project to achieve higher efficiency is also briefly discussed.

KEYWORDS

hydrogen sulfide, H2S, odors, sewer gas, biotrickling filter, biological odor control,
sulfides, mercaptans, Thiobacillus, thiooxidans, biofilm, sulfur-oxidizing bacteria,
chemptrophic, autotrophic

INTRODUCTION

Mount Dora is a small city located in Lake County, Florida. See Figure 1. The city web
site states the population to be 10,364. Mt. Dora is located about 25 miles northwest of
Orlando. The city has two wastewater treatment plants. The principle sources of
wastewater are residential, light industrial and businesses such as restaurants and retail
stores. The East Side plant treats 25 mgd of wastewater. The East Side typically averages

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96% C.B.O.D and 99% TSS removal from the treated water. Currently there are 4,630
connections to the East Side plant. Three additional subdivisions that will add another

Figure 1. Mount Dora, Florida, as seen from earth orbit. Photos courtesy of NASA free
use web site.

2500 residences to the water system that feeds the east plant have been approved as of the
writing of this paper. Two separate force mains that serve a total area of 8+ square miles
(20.7 km2) of the city and parts of surrounding Orange County are in place that carry raw
water to the east side plant. Each force main is approximately 6 miles (9.7 km) in total
length. These force mains discharge per the loading on each main at any given time.
Therefore the H2S (or “sewer gas”) loadings experienced at the headworks collection well
varies from hour to hour, as well as from minute to minute. Typical H2S loadings in the
cooler months is 30 ppmv, with spikes to 70 - 80 ppmv. In warmer months the average
H2S loading rises to ~ 40 to 50 ppmv, with spikes as high as 150 - 200 ppmv. As a result,
the area around the headworks was a common source of odor problems.

Figure 2. Entrance to Mt. Dora East Side WWTP

Photos courtesy of Pat Anthony.

Frequent odor complaintsfrom surrounding homes and businesses were being received
by the East Side operators in 2005. Note in Figure 2 that there are several neighbors
within a 2 minute walk from the plant entrance. Mt. Dora maintains a 'good neighbor'
policy that calls for no odors to be present beyond either wasterwater treatment facility

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property line. Additionally, Mt. Dora East was recognized in 2005 as the "Most
Efficiently Operated Medium Sized WWTP" in Florida by the Rural Water Association
of Florida. Therefore this odor problem needed to be remedied.

In addition to having significant H2S, the head works is also located very close to the
property line of the East Side plant. Note in Figure 3 that the headworks is situated just

Figure 3. Head works at East Side plant, as viewed from the street.

beyond the property line of the facility.

ODOR CONTROL – THE BIOLOGY

Sulfide eating bacterial species where first identified by the Russian microbiologist
Sergei Winogradsky in the 1880s (1). Until that time it was believed that all living
organisms on planet earth were dependent upon photosynthesis for their survival.
Organisms either derived their sustenance directly from photosynthesis (sun light based
fixation of carbon dioxide, CO2) to build organic structure, or organisms consumed
pieces of other organisms in a food chain that ultimately lead back to photosynthesis.
However, as discovered by Winogradsky there exists in nature bacterial species that have
no need for sunlight. These bacteria use H2S or other sulfide species as their energy
(electron donor) source. Winogradsky coined the term “autotrophs” to describe such
organisms and the term remains in use today. Today a number of such species have been
identified (2). These include the species of the genus Thiobacillus which are Gram
negative, rod shaped and colorless (3). Such species are known to grow relatively slowly,
forming thin cell masses (4), perhaps as thin as a single cell.

Biotrickling odor control systems are most often designed to promote the growth of
Thiobacillus thiooxidans. This species is often cited in literature reports dealing with
biological odor control (5, 6, 7). Thiobacillus t. produces sulfuric acid as the result of its
normal life cycle (8):

H2S + ½ O2 → Sº + H2O ΔG = -50 kcal

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 WEF/AWWA Joint Residuals and Biosolids Management Conference 2007

Sº + 1.5 O2 + H2O → H2SO4 ΔG = -150 kcal

Thiobacillus thiooxidans is extremely acid tolerant. Optimal growth pH is reported to be

pH = 2 (9). The organism is reported to be able to tolerate acid solution of 1 N strength
(8). Thiobacillus t. is so acid tolerate, it has been reported to have been reclassified into a
new genus, Acidithiobacillus (10). The overall life process of Thiobacillus thiooxidans
can therefore be summarized as:

H2S + O2 + CO2 + H2O → Organic Cell Structure + H2SO4 + other waste products

Note that the above reaction can not be balanced in the classic sense.

As wastewater flows through the collection system the water often becomes anaerobic
due to oxygen depletion in the water by bacterial activity supported by the abundance of
organic matter. This then allows for anaerobic sulfate reducing bacteria to become active.
These bacteria reduce sulfate to sulfide. As a result, a sulfur cycle is set up inside the
collection system as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4. Sulfur cycle inside sewer line (9).

Hydrogen sulfide in solution is present in three possible forms, H2S, HS- and S-2. Which
form, or forms, is present is dependent upon the pH of the solution, as seen in Figure 5.

Figure 5. Solubility of Hydrogen Sulfide (11).

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As noted in Figure 5, at pH < 8 the nonionic form of hydrogen sulfide predominates.

Therefore an equilibrium between dissolved H2S gas, and free H2S gas above the
wastewater will exist. And the lower the pH of the water, the more readily the H2S will
escape into gas in the air space above the moving water as it is formed.

As a result, anaerobic sulfate reducing bacteria in the wastewater provide aerobic

Thiobacillus species with a steady food source of H2S at steady state inside the collection
system . This sulfur cycle is the source of frequently observed corrosion of concrete
pipes. As sulfuric acid is formed by Thiobacillus t. the calcium hydroxide binder,
Ca(OH)2, of the concrete is converted into calcium sulfate, CaSO4, which has no value as
a binding agent what so ever (9).

BIOTRICKLING FILTER ODOR CONTROL DESIGN

The basic premise of a biotrickling odor control system is to design a unit operation that,
at steady state, will maintain a vigorous bloom of Thiobacillus thiooxidans, or other
Thiobacillus species, as previously described. When this is accomplished the biology
that wrecks concrete sewer lines is then put to the useful purpose of odor elimination. The
basic process design of a biotrickling system is presented in Figure 6.

Figure 6. Typical process diagram of biotrickling odor control unit operation.

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Central to the design of a biotrickling system such as the one seen in Figure 6 is the
choice of what to use as the biological support media (often called “packing”). Several
criteria needs to be met by the media – based upon the previous discussion of the biology
of the bacteria that one wishes to culture in the media:

1. High surface area to allow for maximum possible bacterial colony.

2. Resistance to sulfuric acid.

Additionally, the media must:

3. Allow for maximum mass transfer of H2S from the passing gas phase into the biofilm
(liquid) phase.

4. Quick removal of bacterial waste products. These will be sulfuric acid as previously
discussed. But waste products will also include exhausted enzymes, pieces of proteins
and other organic species, as well as exhausted (dead) bacterial cells.

These features of the biological growth support media must be counter balanced by:

1. Reasonable cost.

2. Reasonable mass to allow for lowest possible capital expense when fabricating the
biotrickling system.

3. Low pressure drop to allow for affordable operating costs over the lifetime of the
biotrickling system.

The biological media used in the process design of Figure 6, HD Q-PAC®, fulfills all of
the above criteria. Note in Figure 7 a close up of this media as seen in an operating
biotrickling odor control filter:

Figure 7. HD Q-PAC® in operating biotrickling odor control system.

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This media has a very high specific surface area, 132 ft2/ft3 (432 m2/m3). Additionally,
note that the entire surface area, as modeled in Figure 8, of the media is available for
bacterial colonization. Additionally, nutrients required by Thiobacillus species are readily
available to the bacteria colony. At the same time, waste products produced by the
bacteria are quickly removed from the biofilm on the surfaces of HD Q-PAC®.

Figure 8. Thiobacillus biomass on HD Q-PAC®.

In a biotrickling odor control filter such as one seen in Figure 6, typically, water is
irrigated over the top face of the media at a rate of 1 to 1.5 gpm/ft2 (2.4 to 3.7 m3/hr/m2).
The sump water pH is monitored. As Thiobacillus thiooxidans produces sulfuric acid, the
pH in the sump will fall after initial startup. Formation of an acid solution is a good
indicator that Thiobacillus bacteria has populated the media. At a setpoint of possibly pH
= 1.5 the sump will overflow and makeup fresh water is added. This continues until the
upper set point is reached, perhaps pH = 2.5. In this way the optimal growth pH of 2 is
maintained in the system.

It is important to note that nutrient addition may be required to achieve optimal bacterial
growth. As with all organisms, even autotropes require nitrogen to build proteins, as well
as other nutrients such as trace metals. A proper nutrient should have the correct ratio of
N:P:K (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) as required by Thiobacillus species. Also, both
micro and macronutrients as required by the organisms should be available in a form
readily accepted by the bacteria. The nutrient solution is best added in frequent small

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doses with a metering pump. Alternately, the nutrient can also be added into the sump on
a batch basis.

The makeup water can be process water, well water or even potable water. However, if
potable water is used, residual chlorine must be removed. This can be accomplished by
passing the water through a carbon canister. However, if a carbon canister is used useful
nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus compounds will also be adsorbed onto the
carbon. An alternate method of chlorine control is to add sodium thiosulfate, Na2SO3, to
the make-up water. This will negate the deleterious effect of the chlorine residual, as well
as be added nutrient for Thiobacillus species.

An alternate media that has been widely used in the past is Lava Rock, see Figure 9.

Figure 9. Lava Rock, ¾ inch (19 mm) nominal size.

Sample courtesy of Christopher Hatch.

Lava rock does have a high surface area, but note in Figure 9 that much of the surface is
deep inside each stone due its porous nature. Also, Lava rock is extremely dense, ~ 200
lb/ft3 (3,200 kg/m3) (12) vs. 7.5 lb/ft3 (120 kg/m3) of HD Q-PAC®. Also, as it is made of
polypropylene, HD Q-PAC® is impervious to sulfuric acid. Some suppliers claim that
their Lava rock is resistant to sulfuric acid as the result of pre-treatment.

Due to the porous structure of Lava rock, the model of Thiobacillus growth as presented
in Figure 8 does not apply. Nutrients such as H2S must diffuse into the deep pores of the
stones to reach the bacterial colony. Then, the sulfuric acid and other waste products must
migrate out of the pore. As a result, typical design criteria (13) of a biotrickling odor
control system using Lava rock is much different vs. one using HD Q-PAC® as noted in
the following table:

500 cfm, 200 ppmv Biotrickling Odor Control Design Parameters

95%+ H2S Efficiency Required

Lava Rock HD Q-PAC®

Typical Design Velocity 7 ft/min (2.1 m/min) 30 ft/min (9.1 m/min)

Typical Empty Bed Residence Time 30 sec 12 sec

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Media Depth 6 ft (1.8 m) 6 ft (1.8 m)

Vessel Diameter 10 ft (3.0 m) 4.5 ft (1.4 m)
Media Pressure Drop 3.5 in WC (9 mbar) 0.5 in WC (1 mbar)
Media Mass 94,200 lb (42,700 kg) 711 lb (322 kg)

Even the casual observer will note that the two systems described above will carry
enormous cost differences. The vessel required to hold the lava rock is much larger vs.
the HD Q-PAC® design. And not only is the Lava rock vessel more than double the size,
the walls of the Lava rock vessel must be several orders of magnitude thicker and
stronger vs. the HD Q-PAC® design because of the huge mass of Lava rock that will be
held in the vessel. As a result, the capital cost of the Lava rock based system will be
significantly higher vs. the HD Q-PAC® system.

PILOT BIOTRICKLING ODOR CONTROL SYSTEM

When contacted by operating personnel at the East Side plant regarding this odor
problem, Lantec Products suggested that an available biotricklng odor control system be
installed as a pilot test of the technology. The system supplied was fabricated by
Macrotek Ltd. The tower is 4.5 ft (1.37 m) diameter and holds 6 ft (1.83 m) of HD Q-
PAC® biological support media. The biotrickling system is seen in Figure 10 installed
beside the headworks at the East Side plant.

Figure 10. Biotrickling odor control pilot system installed beside headworks at East Side
WWTP, Mt. Dora Florida.

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Inlet and outlet H2S data was collected using an OdaLog Logger (www.odalog.com).
This instrument is rated to measure H2S concentrations between 0 – 200 ppmv, with
spikes to 1000 ppmv. Typical performance data collected is presented here.

H2S Concentration (ppmv) in ~ 500 cfm

Data Collected at 15 minute intervals, 6/1/2006
Inlet Outlet % Destruction
45.1 1.9 95.8
47.0 2.7 94.3
59.1 5.9 90.0
49.3 2.9 94.0
49.0 3.4 93.1
41.9 1.8 95.7
40.9 1.9 95.4
40.3 1.5 96.3
41.6 2.2 94.7
48.3 3.3 93.2
38.9 1.8 95.4
61.7* 7.2 88.3
43.5 2.6 94.0
37.2 1.6 95.7
41.6 2.5 94.0
39.0 2.1 94.6
43.6 2.7 93.8
36.5 1.6 95.6
35.1 1.4 96.0
40.1 2.2 94.5
36.2 1.8 95.0
65.5* 7.1 89.2
37.7 2.0 94.7
45.1 3.2 92.9
35.7 1.9 94.7
57.0 5.0 91.2
40.0 2.7 93.3
36.3 2.1 94.2
57.0 6.9 87.9
40.9 2.8 93.2
42.3 3.1 92.7
38.6 2.4 93.8
39.4 2.4 93.9

Average 46.8 3.1 93.7%

Note that at least two surges, as noted by astericks (*) of H2S concentration of 30% above
the average inlet where observed as this data set was collected.

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DISCUSSION – ODORS ELIMINATED

A review of the data collected 6/1/2006 as previously reported reveals that the
biotrickling odor control unit operated at consistently high, 95%+, H2S destruction
efficiency. Surges of H2S in the inlet were also observed, and apparently these surges did
lower the performance of the system, if only briefly. Note that in response to surges that
the efficiency observed fell to ~ 90%, and even below in a few instances.

However, no odors where noted in the immediate area of the headworks. As noted
previously in this discussion, odor complaints from the neighbors ceased after the
biotrickling odor control system was installed.

Please refer to Figure 10. Note in the photo that the walkway up the side of the
headworks leads directly to the outlet stack of the biotrickling odor control system. It was
very practical to send several persons up to the stack outlet to perform “sniff tests”. No
sniff tester, including persons who were visitors and hence not acclimated to odors at a
wastewater treatment plan, noted any odor, or trace of odor, in the stack discharge.

Persons who sniff tested the stack outlet did report the flow of warm, moist air out of the
stack was very pronounced, but no odor in that air was ever noted.

Therefore, two possible conclusions can be drawn:

1. The Odalog Logger instrument appears to possibly return incorrect readings at low H2S
concentrations. This is a logical conclusion. This instrument is not intended to be a
precise analytical tool.

2. Some other species other than H2S may be present in the stack gas that is being
measured by the Odalog Logger as H2S. If there is another gas in the stack that is
“fooling” the instrument, it is obviously not, mercaptan, dimethyl disulfide or other
malodorous sulfur compound.

RESULTS – FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

The City of Mt. Dora was extremely satisfied with the outcome of this pilot odor control
project. Odors from the headworks were eliminated – odor complaints from the neighbors
of the East Side plant ceased.

Lantec Products and its associates have continued to refine the design of biological
support media. Recent improvements in such design have resulted in regular achievement
of 99%+ H2S destruction efficiency in similar projects subsequent to the pilot study
discussed in this paper.

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REFERENCES

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sulfide from gas streams using biological processes – A review. Canadian Biosystems
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3. Sievert, Stefan M., Heidorn, Thorsten and Jan Keuver (2000) Halothiobacillus kellyi
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4. Vlasceanu, Luminita; Sarbu, Serban M.; Engel, Annette S. and Kinkle, Brian K. (2000)
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5. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Chapter 4, Hydrogen Suflide and Sulfuric

Acid Estimation Techniques, EPA 600-98157.

6. Qureshi, Nasib; Annous, Bassam A.; Ezeji, Thaddeus C.; Karcher, Patrick and
Maddox, Ian S. (2005) Biofilm reactors for industrial bioconversion processes;
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7. Deshusses, Marc A. and Schroeder, Edward D. (2001) Final Report: Combined Sulfide
and VOC Removal Using Vapor-Phase Bioreactors, Project # 98-CTS-4

8. Manahan, Stanley E., (2005) Environmental Biochemisty, 8th Ed. CRC Press ISBN 1-
56670-633-5

9. Maier, Raina M.; Pepper, Ian L. and Gerba, Charles P. (2000) Environmental
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10. Kelly, Donovan P. and Wood, Ann P (2000) Reclassification of some species of
Thiobacillus to the newly designated genera Acidithiobacillus gen. no., Halothiobacillus
gen. nov. and Thermithiobacillus gen. nov. International Journal of Systematic and
Evolutionary Microbiology, 50, 511 – 516

11. Lantec Products, Inc. (2007) empirical data based upon multiple projects.

12. http://epswww.unm.edu

13. Lantec Products, Inc. (2004) empirical data collected at pilot study at Cedar Rapids
WWTP, Cedar Rapids, IA.

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