Using TOXCHEM model for simulation the hydrogen sulfide behavior in a full-scale MBBR process

Abstract

Odors emanating from treatment plants are a source of concern for those working in these plants. Hydrogen sulfide gas is the most dangerous aromatic compound for WWTP workers and plant equipment and facilities. In this study, hydrogen sulfide gas was modeled using the TOXCHEM model of the Aoun sewage treatment plant, which operates with the MBBR system. The TOXCHEM model was calibrated and validated and the results were within the R and RMSE parameters. Sensitivity analysis was studied on the most important factors affecting the emission of hydrogen sulfide gas in the Aoun sewage treatment plant. The results showed that the most important processes that obtain hydrogen sulfide gas are biodegradation, absorption, emission or volatilization. The results in winter, (12 °C), and summer (35 °C) about 6% and 8%, 18% and 17%, 72% and 65%, 0% and 0%, and 4% and 10% were fated as emitted to air, sorbed to sludge, discharged with effluent, biodegraded, and treated with odor removal system, respectively. The highest emission of hydrogen sulfide gas was observed in the preliminary stage (lift station, course and fine screen, API, and equalization tank), especially in the API basin, where it reached 1.8 ppm. Increasing temperatures, the air flow rate, decreasing the value of pH, increasing the flow and increasing the filling time in the pumping station all cause an increase in the emission of hydrogen sulfide gas. Modeling hydrogen sulfide gas by TOXCHEM model gave an excellent prediction to control the emission of hydrogen sulfide gas for decision makers in the plant.