The pumping station that you no longer smell

Technology use case

Pumping stations at odor-sensitive locations can trigger odor complaints, especially when emissions spike. Here continuous measurements show the AirShield maintains performance in terms of H₂S and VOC removal during summer emission spikes.

Key results

> 99 %

Removal rate of H₂S and VOCs

5 x

Lower peak H₂S breakthrough

200 ppm

Maximum tested HS concentration

What emission peaks were observed from the pumping station?

Pumping stations are difficult odor environments due to varying flow rates, water composition and environmental conditions. These varying conditions result in emission spikes. The pumping station’s odor control must be designed to handle these emission spikes, which could otherwise result in breakthrough emissions and potentially odor complaints. 

“Communities don’t smell average emissions. They smell events.”

Daily fluctuations from pumps turning on and off showed that summer emission peaks reached H₂S concentrations of almost 500 ppm while the daily summer average was 50 ppm. An increase of more than 10x the daily average in a matter of minutes. Typically these emission spikes happen up to a few hours a day.

H₂S concentrationMultiple of averageDuration per dayFrequency per day
0 – 50 ppm0x – 1x12 hours50%
50 – 100 ppm1x – 2x9 hours38%
100 – 150 ppm2x – 3x2 hours8%
150 – 500 ppm4x – 10x1 hour4%

Our AirShield maintains performance during emission spikes

Our AirShield actively eliminates gaseous H₂S and VOCs through gas-phase advanced oxidation (GPAO) and integrated gas sensors. These sensors allow our air cleaning system to monitor real-time the instantaneous pollution loads. Because the GPAO process is electrically driven, this sensory data can be used to actively adapt the AirShield’s cleaning capacity to the fluctuating pollution loads.

H₂S input Multiple of average AirShield removal
0 – 50 ppm 0x – 1x 100%
50 – 100 ppm 1x – 2x 99%
100 – 150 ppm 2x – 3x 97%
150 – 500 ppm 4x – 10x 96%

During the summer pilot, we measured the effectiveness of the AirShield over 20 days to capture performance during emission spikes. Measurements were conducted using electrochemical sensors with 1 minute sampling intervals to understand its performance during strong odor events. These measurements show that the maximum observed H₂S input concentration during the AirShield’s test period was 200 ppm.

Peak H₂S outlet was 5x lower for the AirShield than for the lavarock biofilter

From these measurements we find that the AirShield has a removal rate of 100% (below detection limit) for concentration below 50 ppm, however the capabilities of the AirShield start to shine during peak events where removal rates remain at 96%. The peak observed H₂S outlet concentration of the lavarock biofilter was 5x higher than that out of the AirShield. Similar results were obtained for the VOC sensor. 

Sanna Melita, Process Technologist
Hoogheemraadschap van Delfland

“I experienced the collaboration with Luper as very pleasant. Communication was clear, and the results were presented transparently. In addition, Luper actively contributed ideas regarding the outcomes and the possibilities of their technology.”

What this means for operators of pumping stations

With our AirShield, you are able to:
  • Obtain consistent performance during H₂S and VOC odor events
  • Prevent odor complaints before they arise
  • Reduce breakthrough emissions by 5x compared to lavarock biofilters

Reach out to us

Curious what our AirShield can do for you? We’re here to answer your questions.

Phone

+31 (0)40 340 39 93

Email

info@luper.tech

Address

High Tech Campus 27, 5656 AE Eindhoven

Contact