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Knowledge
FCC Aqualia’s Project
for reducing hydrogen sulphide
achieves success and recognition
In view of the serious problems caused by
the atmosphere contaminated with hydro-
gen sulphide at the waste water treatment
plants, FCC Aqualia conducted an impor-
tant research and execution project to re-
duce the levels of this compound and elimi-
nate the risks and damage caused by the
concentration of this component:
•
Its high toxicity generates zones where
the atmosphere is highly dangerous for
workers.
•
Gas emissions affect the areas surroun-
ding the installations, spreading bad
odour that cause discomfort for the po-
pulation.
•
The presence of certain compounds
result in the corrosion of the pipes and
equipment at wastewater treatment
plants.
After several years of work and imple-
mentation which began at the wastewa-
ter treatment plants of FCC Aqualia, East
Zone, in a project headed by Pilar Icarán
López, a current member of FCC Aqualia’s
Innovation and Technology Department in
Barcelona, it was possible to substantially
reduce the concentration of hydrogen sul-
phide at the waste water treatment plants
by tackling the problem at the source and
obtaining optimal results in just a few mi-
nutes.
The study was carried out by the de-
partment in charge of controlling the quality
of treatment processes which determined
that by using doses of oxidant agents in
wastewater before its entry in the treatment
plant, it was possible to significantly reduce
the content of hydrogen sulphide which, in
the interior of the plants, caused great toxi-
city, corrosion, and bad odours.
Furthermore, in collaboration with the Pro-
duction and the Occupational Hazard Pre-
vention departments, this work has confir-
med that the risk of suffocating or similar
dangers, are controlled, thereby reducing
the preventive measures and costs gene-
rated to minimise the risk resulting from the
concentration of gas at the installations and
work areas.
Efficiency assessment
Technical report on H2S experiences
Technical report on hyrogen sulphide
reduction
Pilar Icarán López, member of FCC Aqualia’s Innovation and Technology
Department in Barcelona