Odour emissions characterization for impact prediction in anaerobic-aerobic integrated treatment plants of municipal solid waste

Several scientific studies suggest using Odour Emission Factors (OEFs) as a tool for the characterization of the odour emissions and impact prediction of odorous plants, defining these taking into account only the plant capacity for the quantification of the activity index. The research presents the results of the study of a large Anaerobic-Aerobic integrated Treatment Plant (AATP) located in a sensitive area of the municipality of Salerno (southern Italy, Campania Region), identifying the principal odour sources and their characterization in terms of odour concentration and emissions by dynamic olfactometry. OEFs relevant to single-process steps are estimated using the experimental data set as well as compared with the theoretical ones proposed in literature studies on similar treatment facilities. SOEFs (Specific Odour Emission Factors) for the studied AATP are proposed for one unit, calculating them by taking into account specific real observed parameters of the phase. The results show how the major odour emissions of a AATP are associated to the composting process. OEFs calculated as a function of the plant capacity or with other specific factors (SOEFs) show different values.