Comprehensive performance and critical components of odours at food waste composting plants

Chung Jung Tsai*, Mei Lien Chen, I. Fang Mao

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

The current government policy toward food waste management encourages composting for resource recovery. Malodourous emissions from these composting plants impact on ambient air quality and health. This study used olfactometry, gas chromatography- mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas detector tubes to evaluate the ambient air at three of the largest food waste composting plants in Taiwan. Ambient air inside the plants, at exhaust outlets and plant boundaries was examined to determine the comprehensive odour performance, critical components, and odour elimination efficiencies of various odour control engineering. Analytical results identified 29 compounds, including ammonia, amines, acetic acid, and multiple volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (hydrocarbons, ketones, esters, terpenes and s-compounds) in the odour from food waste composting plants. Concentrations of six components - ammonia (1,263±3 μg/m 3), amines (5,911±14 μg/m3), dimethyl sulfide (759 μg/m3), acetic acid (612 μg/m3), ethyl benzene (11±10 μg/m3), and p-Cymene (67±11 μg/m 3) - exceeded human olfactory thresholds. Ammonia, amines, dimethyl sulfide and acetic acid accounted for most odours compared to numerous VOCs. A biotrickling filter was better at eliminating the concentrations of odour, NH3, amines, S-compound and VOCs than a chemical scrubber and biofilters. All levels measured by olfactometry at the boundaries of food waste composting plants (range, 74-115 Odour Concentration (OC)) exceeded Taiwan's EPA standard of 50 OC. This study indicated that the malodour problem continues to be a significant problem for food waste recovery.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProc. 14th International Union of Air Pollution Prevention and Environmental Protection Associations (IUAPPA) World Congress 2007, 18th Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand (CASANZ) Conf.
StatePublished - 2007
EventProc. 14th International Union of Air Pollution Prevention and Environmental Protection Associations (IUAPPA) World Congress 2007, 18th Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand (CASANZ) Conf. - Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Duration: 9 Sep 200713 Sep 2007

Publication series

NameProc. 14th International Union of Air Pollution Prevention and Environmental Protection Associations (IUAPPA) World Congress 2007, 18th Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand (CASANZ) Conf.

Conference

ConferenceProc. 14th International Union of Air Pollution Prevention and Environmental Protection Associations (IUAPPA) World Congress 2007, 18th Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand (CASANZ) Conf.
Country/TerritoryAustralia
CityBrisbane, QLD
Period9/09/0713/09/07

Keywords

  • Engineering improvement
  • Food waste composting
  • Odour determination

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