Tackling odours from wastewater in the food production sector

1. DESOTEC’s partnership with engineering experts Lybover offers clients a complete package of filtration and ventilation solutions.
2. Our mobile filter model ensures there is no on-site carbon or waste handling, keeping customers’ sites clean and dust-free.
3. After working with DESOTEC on one project, customers often request our solutions for further issues.

This poultry processing company produces ready-to-eat meals at its plant in Belgium. Its washing and rinsing processes produce wastewater that is treated by a dissolved air flotation (DAF) system.

However, air emissions from this system contain odorous molecules including hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), causing complaints from neighbours.

There are three sources of odorous air emissions: 

1. the DAF system itself; 
2. the sludge from the DAF that is stored in an open-ended container in the next room; and 
3. an open wastewater buffer tank in a third room, which smells during the filling process or warmer weather.

The food producer wanted to expand its premises. In order to obtain permits, it needed to demonstrate that it had an odour solution in place at its existing site.

Therefore, it contacted DESOTEC for help. Our proposal was cost-effective, comprehensive and straightforward, so the client gave us the green light.

Together with our partner Lybover, we calculated flow rates and concentrations on site. We then installed a turnkey ventilation and treatment system to remove unwanted odour emissions.

The main room, where the DAF is located, is now ventilated. The air from the buffer tank is no longer discharged into the atmosphere, but instead also piped into this room.

Emissions from both rooms are now sent to two DESOTEC AIRCON 3000 filters sited in parallel, which are filled with coconut-based carbon. Together, they treat a flow rate of 4 250 m³/h.

The open-ended sludge container is now blocked off with a gate so no emissions can escape.

The filters have been in place since Q2 of 2023, and were exchanged for the first time in Q3 of 2024. The carbon can be reactivated for reuse.

The filtration and ventilation system has proved to be a success: in the year since installation, there have been no further odour complaints.

If the filter becomes saturated and odorous compounds break through, staff can detect the smell and exchange the filter before it becomes noticeable in the neighbourhood.

Thanks to this positive result, the extension permit has been granted by the authorities and the company has been able to start preliminary construction works.

As this is a food production site, cleanliness is paramount. Therefore, DESOTEC’s mobile filter and off-site waste handling model was a major draw for this client, as it keeps the site dust-free.

Instead, the filter is delivered ready filled. Once saturated, it is closed and transported to DESOTEC’s facilities, where it is emptied, sampled and sorted in safe conditions.

The carbon is then thermally treated in DESOTEC’s furnaces, where the compounds that were adsorbed onto the carbon are completely destroyed.

Finally the carbon is reactivated for reuse, keeping customer costs down and boosting sustainability.

Due to its satisfaction with the professionalism of DESOTEC experts as well as the efficiency of the solution provided, the company is even in talks with DESOTEC for further purification needs.