Testing a modular biofiltration unit to control high concentrate odour

Summary

A commercial beef processing company identified the need for a space-efficient biofilter capable of treating emissions from rendering operations responsible for the bulk of the odour generated at the site.

The biofilter needed to be capable of treating highly concentrated odour and in doing so decrease the load on existing odour control systems enabling them to consistently achieve better performance.

A modular biofilter was developed in a large shipping container and mounted above and away from other abattoir plant and equipment due to space restriction at the site. The system was design by The Odour Unit Pty Limited (TOU).

Testing conclusively showed that excellent odour removal performance was achieved by the modular biofilter.

Objectives

The objectives of this project were to:

• install a modular biofilter in a shipping container to treat higher strength rendering emissions
• evaluate the effectiveness of the biofilter
• disseminate know-how to industry.

Key findings

The results of the study found conclusively that excellent odour removal performance was achieved by the modular biofilter. The finding that high strength rendering odours can be treated in a compact biofilter in this way opens the possibility for meat industry adoption of the concept in two areas:

• taking the major odour load (odour, rather than flow) off existing overloaded odour control systems
• treating only the high-odour rendering streams in plants where full capture and treatment of all process airstreams is not required.

Benefits to industry

This study found that the separate biofilter treatment of high-strength air streams in rendering plants is viable, representing an opportunity for industry to either decrease odour loadings on existing odour control systems, or treat only high strength streams in instances where odour nuisance is moderate and full odour capture and destruction is not needed.

Both applications represent substantial cost savings over duplication of existing systems. The concept would also find application in sites where there is insufficient land available for conventional biofilters to treat large volume airstreams.

In its current form the modular biofilter is a relatively low-cost odour treatment unit due mainly to the use of a recycled shipping container. Despite a degree of corrosion protection this container is expected to have a working life of 4-5 years. Future designs should consider the use of a purpose-built, fully-lined biofilter shell (in elevated positions) or the use of light-weight steel or concrete shells for ground installations.

Future research

Further development of the modular concept is viable, including the possible use of other commercially available containers or improved sealing and corrosion-proofing if shipping containers are to be used.

Industry participants interested in a modular biofilter based on this design would need to contact The Odour Unit Pty Limited who own the IP for the design of this biofilter.

Related MLA projects

A.ENV.0044, A.ENV.0045, A.ENV.0074, A.ENV.0079, A.ENV.0088, A.ENV.0131, A.ENV.0151, A.ENV.0152, A.ENV.0153, A.ENV.0162, A.PIA.0086, CS.200, M.445, FM.476 ,FM.478 ,FM.682, FM.734A ,M.737 ,FM.887 ,FP.PIP.0135, P.PIP.0158, P.PIP.0170, P.PIP.0204 ,P.PIP.0265, P.PIP.0306, P.PIP.0333 ,P.PIP.0338, P.PIP.0374 ,P.PIP.0525, P.PSH.0363 ,P.PSH.0398, P.PSH.0449, P.PSH.0647, PIAP.015,PIP.134 ,PRENV Bi,PRENV.002, PRENV.003 ,PRENV.008, PRENV.009, PRENV.011, PRENV.012 ,PRENV.021, PRENV.022 ,PRENV.023a,PRENV.023b,PRENV.025, PRENV.026 ,PRENV.028, PRENV.032, PRENV.042 ,RPDA.308b, RPDA.311, RPDA.315