![[Cetac symbol]](../../images/cetac-i.gif)
Odour pollution and gases from industrial operations or other persistent sources can adversely affect the physical and mental health of nearby residents and workers. Common problems are: discomfort, health complaints, eye irritations, concerns for children, declines in property values, and resulting complaints and/or legal actions from neighbours and regulatory agencies.
Figure 1: An Ecolo system at a recycling facility
airSolutions® are formulations of essential oils from plant extracts, each designed to neutralize and eliminate specific types of gases and odour.
Ecolo's dispensers atomize the airSolutions® and distribute them into the air in specially measured concentrations to be dispersed throughout a site. Tiny particles of the solution react with odour-causing molecules, triggering and accelerating their transformation into smell-free, non-toxic end-products. airSolution® does not mask the odour, it chemically encourages the acceleration of natural degradation.
airSolutions® have been evaluated by independent laboratories and confirmed to be non-toxic, ozone-friendly, non-irritating and safe to inhale. They are made from food-grade oils and plant extracts.
Ecolo designs systems that use airSolutions® and have successfully eliminated the odours caused by: hydrocarbons, aldehydes, mercaptans, amines, sulfides, ammonia, ketones, and various other organic compounds.
Ecolo has provided innovative solutions to many complex odour problems. Installations include landfills, agricultural sites, restaurants, wastewater treatment, industrial operations, people sites, and anywhere odour is a problem. Systems have been designed for many sizes of application, from single washrooms to the world's largest wastewater treatment facility. Figure 1 shows an Ecolo system at work at a recycling facility.
One particularly innovative solution was to install atomizers on a bulldozer at the working face of a landfill. airSolution® was released only when the wind was in the direction which carries odours to a nearby town. Complaints from nearby residents dropped from 20 per day to almost zero.
Figure 2 shows laboratory studies done in France which demonstrate reductions in H2S possible through treatment with airSolution®. Figure 3 shows reductions as high as 80% in gases such as butanol-2 and toluene which have very strong odours at weak concentrations.
Figure 2: Reductions in H2S From the Centre de Nationale de Recherches Scientifique/ Universite Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris).
Figure 3: Reductions in other compounds From Ecole des Mines d'Ales (May 1996)
Most odours are caused by gases formed during the decomposition of organic (living) matter. During decomposition many intermediate odourous compounds are formed. These odourous gases will eventually degrade into carbon dioxide, water, nitrogen in the form of nitrates, and elemental sulfur.
airSolutions® are a mixture of essential oils. The most important components are: essential oils, terpenes and their oxygenated counterparts, terpenoids, which are both extremely reactive; exposing any gaseous stream to them will initiate many chemical reactions. In order for a sufficient amount of transformation to occur, the airSolution® molecules must be atomized to a specific size to establish and maintain contact and exposure with the odourous gases. Further, the molecules must have sufficient energy to form the transition state or intermediate products. This is accomplished by the atomizing force, a suitable carrier (isopropyl alcohol), the speed of the airstream, and the energy of the reactive components themselves. Although the mechanisms of reactions are not fully elucidated, the types of reactions which are likely to occur are: oxidation, including fast-acting hydroxyl radicals, reduction and some esterification; these are similar to the reactions involved in natural organic decay processes. Oxygen, carbon and hydrogen molecules recombine and react until the final, non-offensive, non-toxic molecules and other intermediates are produced. End products are carbon dioxide and water. Also volatile nitrous compounds and sulfides stabilize as nitrates and sulfur.
| TABLE 1 | ||
| There are over 40 different airSolution® formulations, each geared to different odours and gas types. Two specific formultions are H-310 (H-325) and A-320. | ||
| H-310 H-325 for Ponds, Wetwells | A-320 | |
| a weak organic base which naturally undergoes a neutralization reaction with acidic substances such as hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans | a weak organic acid which will react and neutralize bases such as ammonia and amines. | |
| capacity: ~12.1 g H2S per litre of airSolution | capacity: ~23 g ammonia per litre of airSolution | |
Ecolo Odor Control Systems Worldwide was formed in 1975 by a solid waste management consulting company to develop a natural means of dealing with odours. Ecolo is continually researching new formulations and improvements to its products. Ecolo has headquarters in Totonto, Ontario with offices worldwide enabling them to provide full services almost anywhere, internationally. airSolutions® are also available for smaller applications and home use. Ecolo provides turnkey odour control systems which includes individual analysis of the problem, installation, and monitoring and maintenance of the system.
Profile Print Date: 12/96
Catalogue # 05-006
Back to Listing