Odour control

It can be hard to pinpoint the source of odours, and emissions measurement is complex and somewhat subjective. Therefore, the need to treat odours often arises only when complaints are made.

With increasing urbanisation and lower tolerance for odour nuisance, some long-established sites are facing complaints for the first time. These might arise even when a site meets environmental emissions limits.

Desotec’s mobile filtration services allow you to treat odours promptly, pre-empting action required by environmental authorities and avoiding costly downtime. You’ll also maintain your positive image in the media and community as well as creating a more welcoming facility for site workers and visitors.

Many industrial sectors inevitably produce odours. Yet, highly effective treatments such as  Desotec’s mobile filtration solutions are available.

Naturally, the food and feed industries are rich in smells. There is low tolerance for certain odours, such as pet food, slaughterhouses, and meat & fish processing. Others, such as coffee roasting, may be pleasant, but only at lower concentrations.

Sulfur smells from waste management and wastewater treatment may also be reduced by Desotec’s filters so they don’t disturb those living nearby.

While there is generally a higher tolerance for agricultural odours, it’s important to treat fertiliser smells and those emanating from biogas plants.

Other applications where industrial odour control makes all the difference include those related to the manufacture or handling of asphalt and bitumen, fragrances, polyester and composites, paints and coatings.

Odorous molecules may be volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or inorganic chemicals, including:

• Amine smells from fish processing.
• Phenol and benzene odours from petroleum.
• Acrylate and styrene odours from plastics and composites.
• Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and other sulfur smells from bitumen and biogas.
• Ammonia (NH₃) from fertilisers.
• Dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), aromatic hydrocarbons, H₂S, and NH₃ from sludge, sewage and wastewater treatment.

With Desotec’s activated carbon filters, manufacturers are successfully treating these odours and many others.

As odour complaints rise, regulations are becoming stricter. Desotec has both the know-how and the technology to enable your firm to comply with upcoming legislations.

At the EU level, the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) is the main regulation that governs odour emissions.

Country-specific legislation includes TA Luft in Germany, which has been updated to include nationwide regulations around odour. Other countries and regions have similar legislations.

Environmental authorities set the terms of site operating licences, which may include odour emissions limits. If your company is facing investigations by these authorities, we can promptly deliver effective solutions.