PapersFlow Research Brief
Odor and Emission Control Technologies
Research Guide
What is Odor and Emission Control Technologies?
Odor and emission control technologies are chemical and biological methods designed to manage emissions of hydrogen sulfide, volatile organic compounds, ammonia, and siloxanes from sources such as sewer systems and waste gas treatment.
This field encompasses bioreactors, biofiltration, and microbial communities for treating odorous gases and emissions. It addresses concrete corrosion in sewers, the sulfur cycle, odor measurements, health risk assessments, and environmental impacts, with 37,459 papers published. Growth rate over the past five years is not available.
Topic Hierarchy
Research Sub-Topics
Biofiltration of Hydrogen Sulfide Odors
This sub-topic optimizes packed-bed biofilters with sulfur-oxidizing bacteria for H2S removal from wastewater and biogas. Researchers study elimination capacity, pressure drop, and biofilm dynamics.
Microbial Communities in Odor Control Bioreactors
This sub-topic applies metagenomics to characterize bacterial consortia degrading VOCs, ammonia, and siloxanes. Researchers identify keystone species and resilience to inhibitors.
Hydrogen Sulfide Induced Concrete Corrosion
This sub-topic examines biogenic sulfuric acid attack on sewer pipes, modeling corrosion rates and inhibitors. Researchers test coatings, pH control, and crown height predictions.
Volatile Organic Compounds Removal Technologies
This sub-topic compares adsorption, biotrickling, and plasma oxidation for VOCs in industrial emissions. Researchers evaluate removal efficiency, byproduct formation, and scale-up.
Ammonia Emission Control in Waste Treatment
This sub-topic develops scrubbers, biofilters, and struvite precipitation for NH3 from livestock and anaerobic digestion. Researchers assess mass transfer, nitrification, and energy balances.
Why It Matters
These technologies mitigate environmental pollution from industrial and waste sources, targeting compounds like hydrogen sulfide and ammonia that cause odors and corrosion. For instance, Khan and Ghoshal (2000) detailed methods for removal of volatile organic compounds from polluted air, essential for process industries to prevent health risks and comply with emission regulations. Johnson and Johnson (1995) quantified methane emissions from cattle at 250 to 500 liters per day, informing strategies to reduce contributions to global warming. Kampschreur et al. (2009) examined nitrous oxide emissions during wastewater treatment, highlighting controls needed to limit greenhouse gases from treatment plants.
Reading Guide
Where to Start
'Methane emissions from cattle' by Johnson and Johnson (1995), as it provides a clear, quantifiable example of emission sources with direct links to control needs in agriculture.
Key Papers Explained
Johnson and Johnson (1995) in 'Methane emissions from cattle' establishes emission baselines from livestock, which Ryckebosch et al. (2011) build on in 'Techniques for transformation of biogas to biomethane' by addressing biogas upgrading to reduce methane-related emissions. Kampschreur et al. (2009) in 'Nitrous oxide emission during wastewater treatment' extends this to wastewater contexts, while Khan and Ghoshal (2000) in 'Removal of Volatile Organic Compounds from polluted air' connects to air treatment methods. Azubuike et al. (2016) in 'Bioremediation techniques–classification based on site of application: principles, advantages, limitations and prospects' synthesizes biological approaches across these emission types.
Paper Timeline
Most-cited paper highlighted in red. Papers ordered chronologically.
Advanced Directions
Research continues on integrating biofiltration with sulfur cycle management for sewer concrete corrosion, though no recent preprints are available. Focus remains on scaling bioreactors for siloxanes and ammonia from the established papers.
Papers at a Glance
| # | Paper | Year | Venue | Citations | Open Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Methane emissions from cattle | 1995 | Journal of Animal Science | 2.6K | ✕ |
| 2 | Formaldehyde in the Indoor Environment | 2010 | Chemical Reviews | 1.7K | ✓ |
| 3 | An absorption model of gas/particle partitioning of organic co... | 1994 | Atmospheric Environment | 1.6K | ✕ |
| 4 | Peer Reviewed: Tracking the Distribution of Persistent Organic... | 1996 | Environmental Science ... | 1.4K | ✕ |
| 5 | A life-cycle assessment of Portland cement manufacturing: comp... | 2008 | Journal of Cleaner Pro... | 1.3K | ✕ |
| 6 | Bioremediation techniques–classification based on site of appl... | 2016 | World Journal of Micro... | 1.3K | ✓ |
| 7 | Techniques for transformation of biogas to biomethane | 2011 | Biomass and Bioenergy | 1.3K | ✕ |
| 8 | Nitrous oxide emission during wastewater treatment | 2009 | Water Research | 1.3K | ✕ |
| 9 | Ammonia determination based on indophenol formation with sodiu... | 1978 | Water Research | 1.3K | ✕ |
| 10 | Removal of Volatile Organic Compounds from polluted air | 2000 | Journal of Loss Preven... | 1.1K | ✕ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What methods remove volatile organic compounds from polluted air?
Techniques for removing volatile organic compounds from polluted air include adsorption, absorption, and biological treatments. Khan and Ghoshal (2000) reviewed these approaches in 'Removal of Volatile Organic Compounds from polluted air,' emphasizing their application in process industries. These methods reduce emissions to safe levels and prevent atmospheric pollution.
How are methane emissions from cattle quantified?
Ruminant livestock produce 250 to 500 liters of methane per day. Johnson and Johnson (1995) estimated this in 'Methane emissions from cattle,' linking it to global warming contributions over 50 to 100 years. Such measurements guide emission control in agriculture.
What causes nitrous oxide emissions in wastewater treatment?
Nitrous oxide emissions arise from incomplete denitrification processes in wastewater treatment. Kampschreur et al. (2009) analyzed factors in 'Nitrous oxide emission during wastewater treatment.' Optimizing aeration and microbial conditions reduces these potent greenhouse gas releases.
How is ammonia measured in water samples?
Ammonia determination relies on indophenol formation using sodium salicylate. Verdouw et al. (1978) described this sensitive method in 'Ammonia determination based on indophenol formation with sodium salicylate.' It enables accurate quantification in wastewater for emission control.
What techniques convert biogas to biomethane?
Biogas upgrading to biomethane involves removal of CO2, H2S, and water vapor through physical, chemical, or biological processes. Ryckebosch et al. (2011) outlined these in 'Techniques for transformation of biogas to biomethane.' They improve fuel quality for energy applications.
What are bioremediation techniques for pollution control?
Bioremediation uses microbes to degrade pollutants like heavy metals and organics at contaminated sites. Azubuike et al. (2016) classified methods in 'Bioremediation techniques–classification based on site of application: principles, advantages, limitations and prospects.' These offer cost-effective cleanup for industrial emissions.
Open Research Questions
- ? How can microbial communities in biofilters be optimized to simultaneously degrade hydrogen sulfide and siloxanes in waste gas streams?
- ? What factors drive concrete corrosion rates in sewers under varying sulfur cycle conditions?
- ? How do emission profiles of ammonia and volatile organic compounds vary across different bioreactor designs?
- ? What measurement standards best capture health risks from low-level odorant exposures in urban environments?
- ? How can nitrous oxide emissions be minimized during wastewater treatment without increasing energy costs?
Recent Trends
The field maintains 37,459 papers with no specified five-year growth rate.
Citation leaders like Johnson and Johnson with 2629 citations underscore ongoing relevance of livestock methane controls, while Khan and Ghoshal (2000) at 1102 citations highlight persistent needs in volatile organic compound removal.
1995No recent preprints or news coverage indicate steady rather than accelerating progress.
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