Gaseous emissions in Biological Waste Treatment Processes: Composting Plants, WWTP and Ecoparks
Nowadays, the increase of waste treatment plants based on biological treatment processes involve different kinds of gaseous emissions, from those known as Greenhouse Gases (GHG) to organic and inorganic volatile compounds. The latter are also related to the odorous impact produced by a determined process or installation.
The present work is part of a project in which different types of waste treatment plants, either solid wastes or urban wastewater, are evaluated with the aim of relating their characteristic gaseous emissions –total volatile organic compounds (VOCs), NH3, H2S and GHG– with each kind of process.
D. González1*, J. Colón2, D. Gabriel1, A. Sánchez1
1) Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Departament d’Enginyeria Química, Biològica i Ambiental, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona (*).
2) Universitat de Vic – Universitat Central de Catalunya, Centre Tecnològic BETA (U Science Tech), 08500 Vic, Barcelona.
Biogas is a very interesting source of renewable energy. However, its desulfurization is necessary, and sometimes an adjustment of the methane (CH4) concentration (upgrading), by reducing the carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration. The removal or capture of CO2 can be carried out by biological methods, with microalgae being the most used microorganisms, given their high CO2 assimilation capacity.
Nowadays, we recognise the link between the growing frequency of illnesses such as asthma, allergies and cancers, and the effects of exposure to chemical pollutants in the air that we breathe indoors. Considering these negative effects, indoor air quality (IAQ) is a public health issue that also determines, to a large extent, occupant health, comfort and productivity and, therefore requires special attention.
