Biological Odor Control Systems: Mark Ludwigson, P.E

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pdf
A SunCam online continuing education course
Biological Odor Control Systems

by
Mark Ludwigson, P.E.

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Course Outline:
Odor Control Options

Overview of Biological Treatment
Biofilter Beds
Biotrickling Filters
Bioscrubbers
Comparison of Biological Treatment Systems
Helpful References
Examination
www.SunCam.com Copyright 2021 Mark Ludwigson Page 2 of 37

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Odor Control Options
Odor control involves removing or masking foul smells from odorous air. Common
applications for engineered odor control systems include the following:
 Sewers and lift stations (see Figure 1 for an example),
 Wastewater treatment plants,
 Biosolids handling,
 Landfills,
 Compost facilities,
 Livestock, poultry, and fish processing,
 Pulp & paper manufacturing,
 Food processing,
 Breweries and beverage facilities,
 Pharmaceuticals,
 Coating processes, and
 Various industrial processes.
Odors Released
River
Sewer
Figure 1: A gravity sewer river crossing in which sewer odors

are released upstream of the crossing.
Odor compounds may include the following:

 Acetic Acid  Chlorine  Phenols
 Acrylates  Creosols  Sketoles
 Alcohols  Dimethyl disulfide  Sulfur Dioxide
 Aldehydes  Dimethyl sulfide (SO2)
 Ammonia  Hydrogen Sulfide  Volatile fatty
 Amines (H2S) acids
 Butyric Acid  Ketones
 Carboxylic Acids  Mercaptans

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 Volatile organic (VOCs) (various)

compounds
Odor Control Alternatives

Treatment options for odors fall into two categories: liquid phase and vapor phase:
1. Liquid phase treatment prevents odors from being released by altering the liquid
from which the odors emerge (wastewater, sludge, leachate, etc.). Liquid phase
treatment options include chemical injection for oxidation, precipitation, or pH
adjustment.
2. Vapor phase treatment captures the gaseous odors and prevents them from
being released through physical, chemical, or biological treatment. Vapor phase
treatment options include:
 Physical treatment:
i. Thermal destruction
ii. Wet absorption/packed tower scrubbers (see Figure 2)
iii. Dry adsorption systems (see Figure 3)
iv. Ionization systems (see Figure 4)
 Chemical treatment:
i. Chemical scrubbers also called chemical stripping (see Figure 2)
ii. Chemical masking
 Biological treatment:
i. Biofilters (see Figure 5)
ii. Biotrickling filters (see Figure 6)
iii. Bioscrubbers (see Figure 7)
This course covers the three biological treatment options.

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Clean Air
Mist Eliminator
Water
Chemical Addition
(Chemical Scrubbers)
Packed Media
Ozone Injection
(Chemical Scrubbers)
Recirculation
Odorous Air
Liquid Reservoir
Waste
Figure 2: Example of a packed tower scrubber and a chemical scrubber.

The difference is that chemical scrubbers include chemical/ozone addition.
Inlet Duct
Air Fan
0.91m (3.0 ft) Media Bed
Treated Air
to Atmosphere
Odorous Air Sample Ports Outlet Duct

2.44m (8.0 ft) Diameter
Figure 3: Schematic of an activated carbon odor control system.

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Figure 4: Example of an ionization odor control system.

Inside the duct at the blue modules are a series of ion tubes.
27.4 m (90 ft) Length

Sprinkler Monitoring Wells Cleanouts
Sewer Structure Structure for Blower
Treated Air
Odorous Air Blower
1.1 m
1 Compost
(3.5 ft) 1
Mulch
Air Ducting Wood
Chips
Stone Air
Drain line Plenum
Figure 5: Example of a biofilter bed.

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Clean Air
Mist Eliminator
Water
Nutrients
(optional)
Synthetic Media
Odorous Air
Liquid Reservoir
Waste
Figure 6: Schematic of a typical biotrickling filter.

Note that recirculation of water is typically not included.

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Clean Air
Mist Eliminator
Synthetic
or Organic Media
Recirculation
Odorous Air
Mixer
Liquid Reservoir Water

Nutrients
Waste Air
Bioreactor
Figure 7: Schematic of a typical bioscrubber. A bioreactor with living organisms is

maintained by adding nutrients (chemicals), air, and water. The mixture is a type of
activated sludge and is sprayed on top of the media.

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Overview of Biological Treatment
Biological odor control systems are popular across many industries. They are a safe,
sustainable, and cost-effective alternative for removing odors. Here is a summary of the
three main types of biological odor control systems:
1. Biofilters consist of a large bed of organic media with bacteria living on the
surface of the media. When odorous air moves up through the bed, the bacteria
degrade the odorous compounds. Moisture is often maintained by either spraying
water into the inlet air stream or irrigating the bed. See Figure 5.
2. Biotrickling filters consist of a vessel with synthetic media with bacteria living on
the surface of the media. When odorous air moves up through the vessel, the
bacteria degrade the odorous compounds. Irrigation water is added at the top to
maintain moisture and to rinse away the metabolized compounds. See Figure 6.
3. Bioscrubbers consist of a vessel with synthetic or organic media. Water with a

high concentration of bacteria is dispersed over the top of the media. When
odorous air moves up through the vessel, the bacteria degrade the odorous
compounds. The drain water is typically directed to a bioreactor which recycles
some activated sludge back to the top of the bed, while the rest is sent to waste.
See Figure 7.
The biochemical reactions are essentially the same for each type of biological odor
control system. The normal odor removal mechanism consists of these main processes:
1. Odor compounds in the air are dissolved into any liquid water present in and
around the media. This is a function of the odor compound solubility in water and
Henry’s law gas constant.
2. Biological degradation of the dissolved odor compounds occurs by bacteria living
on the media. Biochemical reactions transform the odorous compounds into non-
odorous compounds, also called metabolized compounds.
3. Metabolized compounds remain on the media and either build up or are rinsed
away. The media requires periodic cleaning or replacement to avoid excessive
buildup.

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Hydrogen Sulfide Removal

The most common odor compound is hydrogen sulfide, H 2S. In biological odor control
systems, Thiobacillus bacteria are responsible for removing H 2S. These bacteria
convert H2S to sulfuric acid in the presence of oxygen, thereby gaining energy for
cellular growth and reproduction (metabolism). Thiobacillus is a genus of obligate
chemoautotrophic bacteria, meaning they obtain energy by the oxidation of inorganic
electron-donating molecules, such as H2S.
Here is the common chemical reaction for H 2S removal by Thiobacillus:
H2S + 2O2  H2SO4 (aqueous) + metabolic energy
See Figure 8 for an image of Thiobacillus on organic media.
Figure 8: Scanning Electron Microscope image of organic media with Thiobacillus

bacteria visible as the light rod-like structures.
Source: Ravichandra Potumarthi, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology

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Thiobacillus is the same bacteria that cause corrosion inside sewer pipes and manholes
due to the sulfuric acid (H2SO4) that the bacteria produce. There are several different
species of Thiobacillus bacteria, each adapted to different environmental factors, such
as temperature and pH. The pH is lower near the bottom of a media bed because the
sulfuric acid drips downward. At this low pH, acidophilic species of bacteria will thrive.
While at the top of the bed, at neutral pH, neutrophilic bacteria will thrive. See Figure 9.
Falling
water
Bacteria Odor
compounds
Neutral pH (7-9)
Neutrophilic bacteria
Low pH (2-5)
Acidophilic bacteria
Media Water
wall layer
Figure 9: Biotrickling filter with pH zones and an enlargement depicting the dissolution
of odor compounds into water at the surface of the media for bacteria to treat.
Thiobacillus is common in nature and is not harmful to humans from normal contact.
The bacteria do not need to be introduced into the filter media as they will naturally be
present and populate the media when odorous air is introduced. However, the media
can be “seeded” with Thiobacillus at startup to quicken the time it takes for the bed to be
populated for H2S removal.
Organic Compound Removal

Organic odor compounds are treated with heterotroph bacteria, which use organic
carbon as food for metabolism and cell synthesis. Heterotrophs can consume
mercaptans, dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide, and volatile organic compounds

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(VOCs). Heterotroph bacteria are mostly neutrophilic, and so may not survive near the
bottom of the bed.
Biofilter Beds
Biofilter beds are also called soil beds or compost filters. They are a common, reliable,
and economical method of odor control. Biofilter beds have been engineered for odor
control since the 1950s and have become popular worldwide.
Biofilter beds function by forcing foul air through a large bed of organic media for
treatment. In a typical arrangement, the air is moved by an air fan (or blower) to a
network of perforated piping installed in a plenum of stones/rocks below the media bed.
The air exits through the small perforation holes in the piping and rises through the
media bed for treatment. See Figures 10 to 12 for an example.

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Figure 10: Network of PVC piping with small holes on the bottom (perforated piping).
After the pipe installation, stones are spread around the piping to form a solid plenum.
Figure 11: Wood chips being poured on top of the stone plenum to form the media bed.

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Figure 12: Completed media bed that is flush with grade.

Decorative plants in islands of soil have been added for aesthetic value.
Biofilter beds are typically designed specifically for each application and constructed
with local materials, rather than being purchased as pre-fabricated from a manufacturer.
And the media bed is commonly below ground, as this is most economical and
aesthetically pleasing. However pre-fabricated aboveground biofilters are available.
Typical biofilter components, as shown in Figure 5, include an air fan system, power
supply, controls, pressure gauges, concrete slab or structure, air ducting, stone plenum,
media bed, monitoring wells, irrigation system, and drain piping.
Media Selection
The media must be able to perform the following functions:
 Retain moisture for the bacteria to live on the surface,
 Support the weight of the media above,
 Allow air to flow through gaps and holes, and
 Resist sulfuric acid for an acceptable amount of time.
Local wood chips are the most popular choice, although a variety of materials have
proven successful, including coconut fibers, compost, nuts, and shells. See Figures 13
and 14 for examples. A mixture of compost and wood chips is also common. For the
wood chips, it is best to use large chips, 2 to 6 inches in length, as the smaller chips
break down too quickly. Also, hardwood chips are better than softwood chips for the
same reason.
Figure 13: Wood chips (left) and coconut fiber (right).

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Figure 14: Examples of compost material.
Iron sponge media is comprised of wood chips that have been impregnated with ferric
oxide (Fe2O3) powder. The ferric oxide reacts with hydrogen sulfide to produce iron
sulfide and water. This not only removes hydrogen sulfide but also provides liquid water
to maintain a moist bed for bacteria to take up residence and remove other odors.
However, the iron sponge media is costly. The design engineer can consider an upper
layer of iron sponge media and the less expensive wood chips for the remainder of the
bed.
Moisture
Biofilter media must be maintained in a moist condition to keep the bacteria active in
removing odors. If the bed is too dry, odor treatment will be poor. If the bed is
continuously too wet, the lifespan of the bed will decrease due to increased compaction
of media which demands increased air pressure. It is recommended to design
conservatively by providing sufficient or even slightly excessive moisture.
As a rule of thumb, a wood chip bed should be designed and monitored to maintain a
minimum of 85% relative humidity. The high humidity level can be accomplished
through the use of an in-line duct spray system or a surface spray system.
In wastewater applications, the odorous air is likely to be near saturated, which has
100% relative humidity. This can be confirmed by examining for condensation on

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surfaces exposed to the air, or by taking a humidity measurement. If the air is not
saturated, the use of an in-duct spray system is recommended.
As the saturated air enters the biofilter bed, it will change temperature to match the bed.
If the bed is cool, the odorous air will cool down, causing condensation of some water
into the bed, and maintaining 100% relative humidity. But if the bed is warmer, the
odorous air will warm up and no longer be saturated. In this situation, the relative
humidity in the bed will depend on the temperature change, as shown in Figure 15. For
example, air that is saturated with a temperature of 20°C has a water content of about
15g per kg of air. If it is blown into a filter bed and warms to 30°C, the same water
content of 15g per kg of air results in a relative humidity of about 50%.
Figure 15: Plot of Water Content versus Temperature for Air at 100% and 50% relative
humidity. The two points indicate the relative humidity change from 100% to 50% when
the air temperature increases by 10 degrees C.
Poor odor removal due to moisture loss is most likely to occur during hot summer days
when the air gets warmed inside the bed. Also, evaporation at the surface of the bed
from sunlight is greatest in the summer months. To help maintain a moist environment
in these conditions, outdoor beds are frequently designed with irrigations systems. The

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irrigation can be with a lawn-type sprinkler system or with perforated hoses running
along the top of the bed.
Bed Sizing
The biofilter bed should be sized large enough so that the odor compounds have time to
absorb into the water on the media particles. The time it takes for the odorous air to
pass through the bed is called the contact time. Designing for a proper media contact
time will ensure that odor compounds have time to dissolve into the moisture layer on
the surface of the filter media for treatment by bacteria. For ease of calculations, the
contact time is calculated as if the bed is empty of media. This is called the empty bed
contact time (EBCT) or empty bed residence time (EBRT) and is calculated as the
volume of the biofilter bed without media (empty) divided by the air flow rate.
EBCT = bed volume / flow rate
For removing hydrogen sulfide with organic media, the recommended minimum EBCT
is 30 seconds. More complex odor compounds, such as volatile organic compounds
(VOCs), can require an additional 30 to 75 seconds. These times already take into
account the porosity for organic media, which is typically around 50%. An “apparent
contact time” between the air and media can also be obtained by multiplying the EBCT
by the porosity of the media; however, EBCT values are more typically used for design
purposes and reported in various literature.
Note that for inorganic media, such as sand or crushed stone, a greater EBCT is
required compared to organic media to remove the same amount of odor compounds.
For example, a supplier of inorganic media made of lava rocks recommends a contact
time of 72 seconds. Inorganic media does have the benefit of lasting longer.
Given the flow rate, the required bed volume can be found by multiplying the flow rate
by the EBCT. An economical bed depth is 3 feet (roughly 1 meter). The surface area
can be determined by dividing the required volume by the depth. The resulting formula
is listed here:
Surface area = EBCT * flow rate / bed depth
Another approach is to design for a minimum surface loading rate. For a 3 feet (≈1
meter) deep bed, a common surface loading rate range is 3 to 5 cfm/ft 2 (1 to 1.7 m3/min/

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m2). This loading rate is based on the removal of hydrogen sulfide at a concentration
below 100 ppm.
If the odor concentration is anticipated to be greater than 100 ppm on a regular basis,
consider the following options:
 Increase the EBCT by increasing the bed volume,
 Increase the flow rate to drop the concentration (while maintaining an EBCT
above 30 seconds),
 Add iron sponge media as a top layer.
See Table 1 for a list of biofilter installations with loading rates (Filter Loading)
and EBCT (Residence Time). Note how the loading rates are an average of 4.5
cfm/ft2 and EBCT is an average of 50 seconds.
Table 1: Biofilter Installations with Key Characteristics
Source: Using Bioreactors to Control Air Pollution, EPA-456/R-03-003

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These design guidelines will help ensure an odor removal efficiency of at least 75%.
Most biofilters report an H2S removal rate of around 90%, with a few reporting >95%
removal.
Piping
It is common to size air pipes based on achieving an air velocity of around 2,000 fpm (ft/
min). The goal of the air distribution piping is to dispense the odorous air as equally as
possible throughout the biofilter bed. It is common to use 2” to 4” PVC pipes spaced
every 2 feet and with holes at that same spacing. See Figure 16 for an example of an
air distribution grid.
The holes, also called orifices, should have a diameter at least 10 times smaller than
the pipe diameter to help ensure the orifice headloss is great enough to encourage
equal flow out all the holes. See Figure 17 for an example with 4” diameter piping and
3/8” diameter holes, which is a hole to pipe ratio of 10.67. For large beds with large
flows, hydraulic calculations or hydraulic modeling is recommended to confirm the air
distribution throughout the bed. Often there needs to be fewer holes in the center of the
bed where the air supply enters the bed, and more holes (or larger holes) at the
extremities to ensure equal airflow distribution.
Figure 16: Plan view of a biofilter bed showing the air distribution piping in green.

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Wood Chip Media
3/8” Dia Holes for 4” Drain Piping

Air Discharge
Figure 17: Section view of a biofilter bed showing the air and drain pipes.
Blower
The terms blower and “air fan” are often used interchangeably. Technically, an air fan
operates at low pressure (a pressure ratio less than 1.11), a blower operates at medium
pressure (a pressure ratio of 1.11 to 1.20), and a compressor operates at high pressure
(a pressure ratio greater than 1.20). Depending on the biofilter design, either an air fan
or blower will be required. See Figure 18 for an example.
Figure 18: Looking down on a blower that draws odorous air from the right and
discharges the air at a higher pressure through the pipe at the top.

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The blower, or air fan, should be designed to handle a large range of pressures since
the media will compact over time causing the pressure to increase. Typical media
headlosses range from 0.5 inches of water (0.12 kPa) when first placed into service to
10.0 inches of water (2.5 kPa) at the end of the bed life. See Figure 19 for an example
system curve and fan curve used for blower selection. Often a single blower is
insufficient to cover such a large range of pressures. Either multiple blowers are
needed or the rotation speed is adjusted with a variable frequency drive (VFD).
Design System Curve
Fan Curve
Fan Curve Limit due

to 20 HP motor
Power
Curve
Startup System Curve
Figure 19: Fan curve with system curve for a blower with a 20 HP motor. The design
point in green represents the flow and pressure near the end of the bed life. The
installed point in red indicates the pressure and air flow at startup. Ideally, the blower
would have a 50 HP motor to be able to operate over the full range.

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Designing for Public Places

When designing a biofilter bed for a public place, the engineer should consider the
values and special needs of the neighborhood. Components should have a minimal
visual impact and be concealed to the greatest extent possible. Typically this means
burying the biofilter bed, piping, and the blower enclosure. If the blower enclosure is
above ground, consider using an architecture style that matches surrounding buildings.
The blower noise level should be minimized so that people walking nearby are not
disturbed and conformance with any municipal noise ordinance. A suggested goal is to
limit the noise at the nearest walking traffic (such as a sidewalk) to 55 dBA. A rule of
thumb is that an increase of 10 dBA doubles the noise. Another rule of thumb is that
doubling the distance from the source will drop the noise experienced by 3 dBA. A
5,000 cfm blower may produce noise at 100 dBA or more within a few feet. A blower
enclosure will lower this noise significantly, especially if partially or fully buried; however,
noise can still pass through hatches, windows, doors, and ducts. Consider adding
sound absorption materials or offsets to these features. It may also be helpful to initially
reduce the blower speed with a variable frequency drive, as blowers are less noisy
when running slower, and only increase the speed as the bed headloss increases in
time.
The irrigation system can be concealed by using pop-up rotor heads. The control valve
and backflow preventer can be hidden, as shown in Figure 20.
Figure 20: Irrigation valve and backflow preventer concealed by an artificial rock.

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Plants on the Bed

Using a compost soil mixture for the bed surface provides a medium for plant growth.
The compost can also support bacteria growth and contribute to odor treatment. A
problem is that the compost tends to crack, as shown in Figure 21, allowing air to
bypass and creating bubbling when the surface has standing water, such as after a rain
event. A recommended soil mixture is 50% coarse sand, 45% compost, and 5% fines
(silts or clays). Racking and tilling of the bed surface have been found to restore
uniformity to a cracked bed.
Cold Weather
Winter operation of an outdoor biofilter bed can be a concern when snow exists on the
bed surface. The warm sewer air will melt the snow to produce muddy patches, as
shown in Figure 21, which may draw negative attention from the public.
Figure 21 – Cracking of compost on a bed surface (left) and bubbling through the snow
on the bed surface (right).
Another problem is that the irrigation system cannot be operated in freezing conditions,
so if the odorous air is not saturated, odor removal performance will suffer. For
wastewater applications, H2S levels are normally lower in the winter because the
bacteria in sewerage pipes responsible for converting sulfur and sulfates to sulfide
gases slow down in the cold. Therefore, it is often found that odor levels are acceptable
during the cold months, even if the removal efficiency is lower.

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Maintenance
Media removal and replacement is the most labor and equipment-intensive process
associated with the maintenance of the odor control system. When removing the media,
care should be taken to not crack the air distribution piping. Figure 11 shows media
material being delivered in a dump truck, piled onto the bed with a backhoe, and spread
manually.
The frequency of media replacement is to be determined by monitoring odors, moisture,

and pressure. Monitoring wells in the bed are a convenient way to take regular humidity,
temperature, and odor readings. These readings can be recorded in a maintenance
log, as shown in Figure 22.
When poor odor removal occurs, it is important to consider if the high odors are the
result of an unusual or extreme condition, such as a sudden high concentration of H 2S
or an extremely hot and dry day. Next, consider if the humidity is low and adjust the
irrigation system as needed. Also, check the blower pressure readings. A sudden spike
in pressure suggests the air piping is blocked. A gradual increase in pressure over
many months to the point of an unacceptably low flow rate indicates the bed material
needs to be replaced. The bed design life is difficult to predict and has been reported to
vary from 1.5 to 10 years. A period of 3 to 5 years can be assumed during design.

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Figure 22: Example of a biofilter maintenance log.

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Example Problem 1:
Foul air is venting from a sewer structure located in a park in Arlington, Texas. Engineer
Reneisha explained the benefits of a biofilter bed to the Director of the Parks
Department. The Director requested that she proceed with a design that has a positive
aesthetic impact. The design consists of blowing sewer gases through a bed of wood
chips. Reneisha calculates the required air flow rate based on the sewer pipe size,
maximum sewage velocity, and estimated air space in the sewer at this velocity. She
calculates an air flow rate of 3,000 cfm. There is an area of 1,800 square feet available
for the biofilter bed. Assuming an EBCT of 60 seconds, what is the recommended bed
depth, rounded up to the nearest 6 inches?
Solution:
Reneisha rearranges the EBCT formula to solve for bed depth:
Bed depth = EBCT * flow rate / surface area

= 60 sec * 1 min/60 sec * 3,000 ft3/min / 1,800 ft2
= 1.67 ft
Reneisha rounds up to a bed depth of 2’-0”. She also recognizes that the actual volume
of the bed and EBCT will need to be double-checked once the bed is drawn out
including any sloped sides.
Example Problem 2:
Continuing from Problem 1, what is the recommended air pipe size?
Solution:
Reneisha uses the common design velocity of 2,000 fpm to calculate the ideal pipe
diameter.
Pipe area = flow rate / velocity

π * dia 2 / 4 = 3,000 ft3/min / 2,000 ft/min
dia = 1.38 ft = 16.6 in
Reneisha chooses the closest nominal pipe size of 16”.

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Biotrickling Filters
Biotrickling filters are also called trickling biofilters. Figure 6 shows the common features
of a typical biotrickling filter. They function very similarly to biofilter beds, so many of the
design principles reviewed in the previous section apply. The main differences are as
follows:
 Biotrickling filters consist of a pre-fabricated vessel or tank filled with synthetic
media.
 Biotrickling filters use a constant spray of water on the top surface, while biofilter
beds may only require duct spraying or periodic surface watering. The water can
be recycled, as shown in Figure 23.
 Biotrickling filters often include the addition of nutrients to maintain healthy
bacteria.
Clean Air
Rotating
Distributor
Odorous Air Odorous Air
Water
Nutrients
Waste
Figure 23: Schematic of a large diameter biotrickling filter with a rotating distributor,
water recirculation system, and nutrient addition.

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Media
A variety of plastic media is available for us in biotrickling filters. The most common is
random plastic rings. However fixed packing media is also available. See Figure 24 for
examples. Media with greater surface areas allow more bacteria to live on the media.
The media options are essentially the same for both biotrickling filters for odor control
and trickling filters for wastewater treatment.
Figure 24: Examples of random plastic media (left) and fixed packing media (right).
Bed Sizing
The media bed is sized based on the same general principles as biofilters. The EBRT is
the primary factor utilized. Biotrickling filters require a lower EBRT for the following
reasons:
 Consistent water supply and a saturated bed.
 Consistent media throughout the bed.
 Long-lasting media with consistent pressure drop.
 Ability to add nutrients or modify water supply to optimize performance.
See Table 2 for typical design characteristics of a biotrickling filter. For hydrogen sulfide
removal, typical loading rates are 0.18 to 0.20 lb. H 2S / ft3 / hr.

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Table 2: Biotrickling Filter Design Characteristics
See Table 3 for a list of biotrickling filter installations with EBCT (EBRT),
pressure drop/headloss through the bed (ΔP), and odor removal efficiency (Eff).
Note how the EBCT is an average of 20 seconds and removal efficiency
exceeds 90%.
Table 3: Biotrickling Filter Installations with Key Characteristics

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Spray Water
Spray water flow rates are effective with a surface loading rate of approximately 6.0 to
6.5 ft/hr (1.8 to 2.0 m∕hr). The water can be recirculated, however a portion of the
recirculating water must be replenished with fresh water. This can be controlled by a
timer, ratio control valve, pH meters, and/or electrical conductivity meters. For the timer
or ratio control valve approaches, a water turnover period of 2 hours is common for
hydrogen sulfide removal. For example, if the recirculation flow rate is 10 gpm (600
gph), then the fresh water should be 300 gph (5 gpm) to turn over all the water ever 2
hours. This results in a ratio of 2:1 of recirculated water to fresh water. A control valve
can be partially closed to provide this flow balance.
Nutrients
Bacteria need nutrients to grow and produce new cells. Some air and water sources are
lacking in certain nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, which limits
bacterial growth and thus limits odor removal efficiency. Chemicals with these nutrients
can be added to the bed, typically by injecting the chemical into the spray water supply.
Several commercially available chemical solutions are designed to provide essential
nutrients for the growth of bacteria.

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Bioscrubbers
A bioscrubber is very similar to a biotrickling filter, except with the following

enhancements:
 Bacteria are stored and recycled with the spray water. This is accomplished with
a bioreactor or similar process.
 The media bed is often partially submerged in water, allowing odor compounds in
the bubbling air to rapidly dissolve into the water where bacteria can treat them.
This also neutralizes the typically acidic/low pH zone at the bottom of the bed.
 Ozone can be added for the oxidation of certain odor compounds.
 Nutrients, pH control chemicals, and air can be modified for select bacteria.
Bioscrubbers are common for high concentrations of odor compounds (<200 ppm),
especially organic compounds. They are typically designed by specialized suppliers.
Bench-scale testing is sometimes done to size the components and select the proper
nutrient chemical. See Figure 7 and Figure 25 for example arrangements.
Clean Air
Rotating
Distributer
Submerged
Media
Odorous Air Ozone (optional)
Water
Mixer
Nutrients
Air
pH Control
Waste
Bioreactor
Figure 25: Schematic of a bioscrubber with a bioreactor and ozone addition.

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Example Problem 3:
Dylan is an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) working under Fernando, a Professional
Engineer (P.E.). Fernando asks Dylan to help with the sizing, layout, and a schematic
diagram for a new bioscrubber system for a food processing facility. Fernando explains
that the bioscrubber is to be located in the northeast corner of the main processing
room, in a space of 12’-0” by 45’-0”. Air flow comes from the west and should discharge
out the east wall. The bed height can be a maximum of 10’-9” tall due to duct work and
lights hanging from the ceiling in that area. The design flow rate is 4,000 cfm and
minimum EBCT is 25 seconds. The bioscrubber manufacturer can provide vessels in 8’,
10’, or 12’ diameter, and a single bioreactor that is size 4’ diameter with a 2’x3’ square
pad for each recirculation pump. A 4’ square pad is needed for a nutrient chemical tote.
Also a 2’x4’ pad is needed for an air blower. A clearance of 3’-0” is required between
each component.
Solution:
First, Dylan determines the minimum media surface area based on the EBCT formula:
Surf. area = EBCT * flow rate / bed depth

= 25 sec * 1 min/60 sec * 4,000 ft3/min / 10.75 ft
= 155 ft2
Next, Dylan determines the quantity of 8’ and 10’ diameter vessels would be needed to
exceed the minimum surface area required. He does not consider 12’ diameter vessels
due to the limited space available.
No. of vessels = surface area required / surface area per vessel
No. of 8’ vessels = 200 ft2 / (π (8 ft)2 / 4) = 155 ft2 / 50.24 ft2 = 3.08 (round up to 4)
No. of 10’ vessels = 200 ft2 / (π (10 ft)2 / 4) = 155 ft2 / 78.55 ft2 = 1.97 (round to 2)
The length of (4) 8’ vessels in a row with 3’ clearance between is (4) * 11’ = 44’-0”. This
barely fits in the 45’-0” space available, and does not leave room for the other
components. Therefore, he chooses (2) 10’ vessels.

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Next, Dylan uses the common design velocity of 2,000 fpm to calculate the ideal air pipe
diameter.
Pipe area = flow rate / velocity
π * dia 2 / 4 = 4,000 ft3/min / 2,000 ft/min
dia = 1.59 ft = 19.15 in
Dylan chooses the closest nominal pipe size of 20”. Since the flow will be divided
between two vessels, the pipes in and out of each vessel are sized as follows:
π * dia 2 / 4 = 2,000 ft3/min / 2,000 ft/min
dia = 1.13 ft = 13.5 in
Dylan chooses the closest nominal pipe size of 14”.
With the tanks and pipes sized, Dylan creates the layout shown in Figure 26 and the
schematic diagram shown in Figure 27.
20” Odorous Air 14” Inlet/Outlet 20” Clean Air
Nutrients Pump
12’-0”
4’ Dia
10’ Vessel 10’ Vessel
Blower Pump No. 1 No. 2
Bioreactor
45’-0”
Figure 26: Bioscrubber system layout for Example 3.
Fernando reviews Dylan’s work. He asks him to also show the control panel location
and to check the safety data sheets for the nutrients chemical and add a safety shower
if necessary.

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Clean Air
Mist Eliminator
Recirculation
Recirculation
Media
Bed
Odorous
Air Mixer
Liquid Reservoir
Vessel No. 1 Water Nutrients Vessel No. 2
Waste Air from Blower
Bioreactor
Figure 27: Schematic of the bioscrubber system for Example 3.

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Comparison of Biological Treatment Systems
Often Engineers are expected to compare alternatives and provide a recommendation.

Often it is sufficient to provide a high-level qualitative comparison with advantages for
each alternative. If this does not present a clear selection,
Qualitative Comparison
A qualitative comparison of the three biological odor control systems is provided in
Table 4.
Table 4: Comparison of Biological Odor Control Alternatives
Capital Lifecycle Chemical

Footprint Reliability Flexibility Aesthetics
Cost Cost Use
Biofilter Best Ok Worst Worst Worst Best Best
Biotrickling
Ok Best Ok Ok Ok Ok Ok
Filter
Bioscrubber Worst Worst Best Best Best Worst Worst
Lifecycle Cost
Since odor control systems include substantial operations and maintenance costs, it is
appropriate to compare the lifecycle cost of each alternative. Lifecycle cost refers to the
total cost of ownership over the life of an asset. This whole-life costing includes costs
incurred after an asset has been constructed or acquired, such as maintenance, energy
usage, operation, and disposal.
The lifecycle cost can be calculated using the present worth approach. The formula is
as follows:
Lifecycle Cost=Capital Cost + Annual Maintenance∗PWF−Salvage Value
( 1+i )T −1
where: PWF=Present Worth Factor=¿ T
i∗(1+i )
i=interest rate
T =number of years

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Example Problem 4:
Engineer Frantz is comparing odor control alternatives and needs to calculate the 40-
year lifecycle cost of a biofilter bed system. The capital costs are $80,000 and the
annual maintenance costs are $19,000. The interest rate is 5%. There is no salvage
value at 40 years.
Solution:
Frantz starts by calculating the present worth factor, PWF:
( 1+0.05 )40−1 6.04

PWF= 40
= =17.25
0.05∗( 1+0.05 ) 0.35
Next, Frantz calculates the lifecycle cost:
Lifecycle Cost=Capital Cost + Annual Maintenance∗PWF−Salvage Value
Lifecycle Cost=$ 80 , 000+ $ 19 , 000∗17.25−0=$ 407 ,750

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Helpful References
BioAir (2020) “The Introductory Guide to Industrial Odor Control”

www.bioairsolutions.com
Devinny, J.S. (1999) “Biofiltration for Air Pollution Control”. Lewis Publishers; Boca
Raton, FL.
Environmental Protection Agency (2003) “Using Bioreactors to Control Air Pollution”.

EPA-456/R-03-003.
Potumarthi, R.; Anupoju, R. G.; Mugeraya, G.; Jetty, A. (2009) “Hydrogen Sulfide
Removal in Biofilter: Evaluation of a New Filter Material by Immobilization of
Thiobacillus sp.”. International Journal of Chemical Reactor Engineering, Vol. 7, Art.
A17.
Shareefdeen, Z.; Singh, A. (2005) “Biotechnology for Odor and Air Pollution Control”.
Springer; New York.
Water Environment Federation (2004) “Control of Odors and Emissions from

Wastewater Treatment Plants”. Manual of Practice No. 25; Alexandria, Virginia.

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434.

A SunCam online continuing education course

Biological Odor Control Systems

Mark Ludwigson, P.E.

Biological Odor Control Systems

Odor Control Options

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Biological Odor Control Systems

Odor Control Options

Figure 1: A gravity sewer river crossing in which sewer odors

Odor compounds may include the following:

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Biological Odor Control Systems

 Volatile organic (VOCs) (various)

Odor Control Alternatives

This course covers the three biological treatment options.

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Biological Odor Control Systems

Figure 2: Example of a packed tower scrubber and a chemical scrubber.

Odorous Air Sample Ports Outlet Duct

Figure 3: Schematic of an activated carbon odor control system.

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Biological Odor Control Systems

Figure 4: Example of an ionization odor control system.

27.4 m (90 ft) Length

Figure 5: Example of a biofilter bed.

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Biological Odor Control Systems

Figure 6: Schematic of a typical biotrickling filter.

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Biological Odor Control Systems

Liquid Reservoir Water

Figure 7: Schematic of a typical bioscrubber. A bioreactor with living organisms is

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Biological Odor Control Systems

Overview of Biological Treatment

3. Bioscrubbers consist of a vessel with synthetic or organic media. Water with a

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Biological Odor Control Systems

Hydrogen Sulfide Removal

Here is the common chemical reaction for H 2S removal by Thiobacillus:

H2S + 2O2  H2SO4 (aqueous) + metabolic energy

See Figure 8 for an image of Thiobacillus on organic media.

Figure 8: Scanning Electron Microscope image of organic media with Thiobacillus

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Biological Odor Control Systems

Organic Compound Removal

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Biological Odor Control Systems

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Biological Odor Control Systems

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Biological Odor Control Systems

Figure 12: Completed media bed that is flush with grade.

Figure 13: Wood chips (left) and coconut fiber (right).

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Biological Odor Control Systems

Figure 14: Examples of compost material.

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