ODOUR MODELLING

Odours, from both municipal and industrial wastewater treatment works, are responsible for a large number of complaints each year. In an increasingly litigious environment this poses the threat of legal action by the public. It is important therefore that operators of these treatment facilities demonstrate due diligence by assessing the potential for odour generation and preparing strategies for its mitigation.

The application of odour dispersion modelling is essential in order to: 

• Identify potential odour sources that require abatement
• Identify sources that require no further action
• Determine the maximum permissible concentrations

Services

Odour generation can be generated by a variety of sources identified from on-site odour monitoring, such as:

• Point (stack, substance)
• Line (pipes, traffic)
• Area (plant complexes)
• Volume sources (tanks) �

Using state-of-the-art dispersion models e.g the UK ODOURsim® and US EPA ISC/AERMOD models, we carry out air dispersion modelling for a range of emission, topographical and meteorological scenarios.

Long and short-term predictions are made and the results are compared with recommended air quality standards and guidelines and odour detection thresholds.  Quantitative risk assessments of the predicted results can also be undertaken.