Rapid solution to a brewery odour problem

A well-known Belgian brewery recently invested in a new biological water treatment installation. This purification process results in the emissions of organic sulphur compounds and hydrogen sulphide (H2S), substances that can be smelled even at very low concentrations.

An air scrubber was incorporated into the water treatment installation to prevent the emission of unpleasant smells. However, the surrounding area still suffered from odour nuisance.

Although the odour emissions from the brewery didn’t exceed the technical environmental standards, the beer producer still wanted to do all it could to restore the good relationship with people living nearby. So it approached a consultancy to carry out an odour study, which included detailed measurements.

The brewery then contacted DESOTEC for an efficient solution to the problem. The very next day, a Friday, we visited the site to analyse the situation and look at the results of the odour study. Based on our findings, we offered the company a quotation just a few hours later that was immediately approved.

The odour problem has been completely eliminated, and the company has restored good relations with their neighbours.

DESOTEC mobile filters are supplied on an affordable rental basis, and are suitable for temporary or permanent use. As soon as the active carbon is saturated, we exchange the mobile filter immediately to minimise downtime.

We transport the filter away from customers’ sites to our own facilities, where it’s analysed so the right measures can be taken for safe handling. All molecules that were adsorbed onto the activated carbon are fully destroyed in accordance with national and EU legislation.

Depending on the sulphur load, we can reactivate the activated carbon or send it for specialist waste disposal. The entire installation and its emissions are under continuous online monitoring, guaranteeing that only harmless water vapour exits the chimney.