Environmental Engineering Strategies for Odor Control in Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations

Abstract

Odor emissions from municipal wastewater treatment plants represent a significant environmental and public health concern due to the release of volatile sulfur compounds, ammonia, and other malodorous gases during treatment operations. This study investigates environmental engineering strategies for effective odor control in municipal wastewater treatment plant operations through integrated process optimization and emission mitigation techniques. A comprehensive assessment was conducted to identify major odor-generating units, evaluate emission characteristics, and analyze the effectiveness of various physical, chemical, and biological odor control methods under varying operational conditions. The proposed framework incorporates source containment systems, improved aeration management, chemical scrubbing, activated carbon adsorption, and biofiltration technologies to minimize odor dispersion and improve air quality within and around treatment facilities. Computational and experimental analyses were performed to examine gas concentration levels, airflow distribution, treatment efficiency, and operational reliability across different odor control configurations. Results demonstrated significant reductions in hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and volatile organic compound emissions through the implementation of integrated odor management strategies. The study further revealed that optimized ventilation systems and biological treatment approaches provide sustainable and energy-efficient odor mitigation while reducing operational costs and environmental impact. Additionally, real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance techniques improved system responsiveness and operational stability in large-scale wastewater treatment environments.