Sanitary Sewer Odor and Corrosion Control

What is Thioguard ?

Wastewater treatment has evolved in the progression of technology, and against a backdrop of a greater need for stewardship of limited water resources.   Early efforts were framed in the efforts of the Water Pollution Control Association, but wastewater professionals became increasingly aware that water quality included more than merely water pollution.  The solid and gaseous byproducts of water treatment suggested safe disposal and / or elimination within the scope of returning solids to safe land use and the control of air pollution.   Water quality was viewed within the larger scope of water environment, hence the emergence of water environment associations.   Thus, the mandate to control odor was strengthened.

Hydrogen sulfide odor emissions are very common in today’s wastewater systems. Nearby communities could perceive their property values dropping.  Local residents are likely to equate odorous emissions with chemicals harmful to their health.  These perceptions could spell a community relations, legal, and regulatory compliance nightmare for the wastewater treatment plant.

Wastewater professionals therefore spend a great deal of time, energy and cost searching for the elusive, reasonable-cost odor treatment – only to change treatment technologies whenever effectiveness is called into question by undesirable side effects or by non-response to other operational problems.  Employing multiple treatment regimens or control strategies with high latent costs can unnecessarily drive up operational or capital outlays.  Dramatic investments and extraordinary control strategies demonstrate the unquestionable need for odor control at wastewater collection systems and treatment plants.

An increasing number of wastewater professionals are recognizing Thioguard as a treatment which is both comprehensive and cost effective.  Thioguard treatment eliminates H₂S odor in collection systems, but it also eliminates corrosion which robs systems of their useful life, and eliminates FOGs that deprive systems of expected performance and can lead to back-ups and overflows.  Wastewater treatment plants using Thioguard experience process performance enhancements at clarifiers,  aeration basins, and digesters (for a more complete discussion, click here ).

Thioguard, a high-purity magnesium hydroxide aqueous suspension, is a concentrated alkaline buffer that gently neutralizes acids and prevents the formation of hydrogen sulfide gas (H₂S) by controlling wastewater pH.  It is an alkaline slurry,  similar to milk of magnesia, which buffers to a controlled pH of 9.0.  As such, it is non-hazardous and safe to use.

What are Thioguard’s Benefits ?

• Prevents formation of H₂S odors by controlling wastewater pH.

• H₂S release does not occur when dilution later lowers wastewater pH.

• Prevents corrosion through pH elevation.

• Reduces SRB activity in biofilm.

• Eliminates fats, oils, and greases (FOGs) through saponification.

• Easy pH control – naturally buffers at maximum pH of 9.0. 

• No nitrate carryover to the treatment plant.

• Treatment plant effluent has lower TSS, SVI, and BOD.

• Improved influent, effluent, and bio-solids quality.

• Improved nitrification.

• Lower total dissolved solids (TDS).

• Does not permit the high pHs that allow ammonia flare off.

• Supplies micronutrient Mg for controlled bacterial growth to maintain biological treatment.

• Compatible with most aerobic and anaerobic treatment systems.

• Safe, easy handling.

• Efficient metal remover – Thioguard coprecipitates heavy metals.

• Low operations and capital costs.

What cost savings does Thioguard provide ?

The level of funding by governments in maintaining water infrastructure has declined dramatically.  In addition, sewer and water rates are not always reflective of the true cost of service.  In this environment, continuous investment is required to preclude reversing decades of progress in public health, environmental protection, economic development and quality of life.   Therefore, wastewater systems managers are constantly challenged to control costs. 

Thioguard treatment offers significant cost savings opportunities:

1. Operational

   1. Treatment

      1. Reduced chemical costs due to greater neutralizing power per pound of treatment agent than other alkali treatments

      2. Multiple issues addressed with a single treatment agent

         1. H₂S 

         2. Corrosion

         3. FOGs

         4. Enhances many treatment plant processes

   2. Process

      1. Less aeration is needed – increases aerobic oxidation rate 2 to 3 times

      2. Safety equipment associated with handling hazardous materials is not needed

      3. Friendly to biological phosphorous removal and other processes

   3. Maintenance

      1. (Short term)   minimizes costs associated with sludge handling and disposal

      2. (Med. term)   eliminates clearing of FOG-related line blockages

      3. (Long term)    extends useful life of system through elimination of corrosion

2. Capital

   1. Moderate cost per injection station

   2. Fewer injection sites compared to other odor control methods are generally needed due to prolonged pH control

                                                                                                                                                                      Revision 1-16-07