REDUCING ODOURS AND SAFE GUARDING WORKERS FROM HYDROGEN SULPHIDE AT BRISBANE’S LARGEST WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
In line with Queensland Urban Utilities’ commitment of reducing the health and safety risk for operators at the Luggage Point Resource Recovery Centre (RRC) and reducing odour nuisance to the surrounding Community, CleanTeQ Aromatrix were engaged to construct an Air Treatment Facility (ATF) which comprised covering of the Inlet Works (together with other significant odour sources) with extraction and treatment of the foul air. The facility was completed in 2019.
The new ATF was designed to treat an airflow of 26,000 m3/h with design hydrogen sulphide concentrations (under ventilated conditions) of 61 ppm and 145 ppm respectively. The facility comprised two Biotrickling Filters (BTFs) followed by three Activated Carbon Filters. Each of the BTFs were constructed as hybrid vessels with a continuously recirculated bottom media bed section treating H2S and other sulphur based compounds. The top bed section incorporated a once-through recycled water irrigation system treating other volatile organic compounds.
Effective capture of H2S and other emitted gases from the Inlet Works was a critical requirement for the treatment facility. In order to meet this objective at minimal cost, an innovative covering system was implemented which utilised the existing platform with the application of a corrosion resistant FRP chequer plate covering system over the walkway surface with additional sealing around screens, screw presses, transfer pipes and other appurtenances. The result was a pressure sealed enclosure which avoided the total scrapping of the existing structurally sound platform and walkway system and resulted in significant program savings and a substantially lower cost than more conventional covering means.
Over the last two years since it began operation, the ATF has performed to its design intent of achieving containment of all emissions from the Inlet Works and effective treatment of the extracted pollutants using recycled water and with minimal operator supervision or intervention.
By implementing this project of containment and treatment of the Inlet Works emissions, several obectives were achieved as follows:
• Eliminated the extremely high H2S emissions emanating from the Inlet Works structure thereby improving the safety of persons working around the plant;
• Applied innovative means to cover the Inlet Works at minimal cost;
• Implemented best available technology in the treatment of extracted air from the Inlet Works;
• Achieved significant odour reduction to the areas surrounding the RRC;
• Delivery of the abatement project on budget and within the agreed project timeframe.
The success of the project has been due to the excellent cooperation between stakeholders and the companies involved with the investigation, design and construction of the facilities. All parties demonstrated a strong commitment to the objectives of implementing the most effective and innovative containment and treatment system available in order to reduce the health and safety risks to personnel and reduce the impact of odour to industries surrounding Community.