What is an Odour Control Unit and How Does it Work?

An Odour Control Unit (OCU) is an industrial system designed to neutralise or remove unpleasant odours generated in processes such as wastewater treatment, chemical manufacturing, and waste management. The most common methods employed include chemical scrubbing, activated carbon filtration, and biofiltration. Effective odour removal depends significantly on maintaining a continuous and efficient circulation of neutralising solutions within the system.

Odour control units

If you’re looking for complete, turnkey odour control systems, Tecnium also offers full-scale solutions for WWTPs using scrubbers, filters and chemical media.

Explore Tecnium’s Odour Control Units for Wastewater Treatment Plants

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The Essential Role of Pumps in Odour Control Units

Pumps are critical components within an OCU. They are responsible for the reliable recirculation and precise dosing of chemical reagents necessary for neutralising odorous compounds. Selecting the correct pump ensures efficient odour management, system reliability, and longevity of the entire unit.

Key Features Required for Pumps in Odour Control Systems

Choosing the right pump for an Odour Control Unit involves considering several crucial features:

Pumps must handle aggressive chemicals used in odour neutralisation, such as sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), hydrochloric acid (HCl), and other corrosive agents commonly found in odour control processes. Chemical resistance ensures the pump can operate safely and reliably without degradation or leaks, thereby protecting the integrity of the system and avoiding costly equipment failures.

Industrial odour control systems typically operate continuously, which demands pumps capable of enduring rigorous conditions. Pumps should feature robust construction, reliable sealing mechanisms, and strong resistance to mechanical wear and corrosion, ensuring continuous, trouble-free operation over extended periods.

In industrial settings, interruptions in liquid flow are possible. Pumps with dry-running capabilities are essential because they can safely operate for limited periods without liquid. This feature prevents pump damage, reduces downtime, and avoids costly repairs or replacements, thus maintaining the effectiveness and efficiency of the odour control unit.

Easy-to-maintain pumps significantly reduce operational costs and downtime. Pumps should be designed with easily accessible parts and minimal complex components, enabling rapid servicing, cleaning, or part replacement. This simplicity ensures that the pump’s performance can be quickly restored without specialised training, minimising disruption to the operation.

Given the continuous operation of pumps within odour control systems, energy efficiency is crucial. Pumps that are designed to operate efficiently under continuous load help reduce overall energy consumption, thereby lowering operational costs and enhancing the sustainability of the system.

Pumps should be adaptable to various system configurations and installation scenarios, allowing seamless integration into existing or newly designed odour control systems. Compatibility ensures optimal pump performance, simpler installation procedures, and greater flexibility in system planning and upgrading.

Why Tecnium Pumps are Ideal for Odour Control Units

Tecnium offers a range of plastic centrifugal pumps explicitly designed to handle highly corrosive chemicals used in odour control processes. Models such as BN, BV, BT, and BH provide excellent performance, reliability, and chemical resistance, making them perfectly suited for integration into OCUs.

Recommended Tecnium Models for OCUs

  • BN and BV Horizontal Pumps: High capacity up to 1,500 m³/h, suitable for large-scale industrial installations.

  • BT Vertical Sump Pumps: Designed for immersion in chemical solutions with dry-running capabilities.

  • BH Motor Pumps: Compact and efficient pumps ideal for medium-capacity installations requiring reliable performance.

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Material Advantages

Tecnium pumps are available in a variety of chemically resistant plastics, including:

  • UHMW-PE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene): Excellent chemical resistance, abrasion resistance, and superior impact strength. Ideal for slurry and abrasive chemical applications.

  • PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride): Outstanding chemical resistance, particularly against acids and oxidising agents, and excellent thermal stability.

  • Polypropylene (PP): Versatile plastic offering strong resistance to most acids, alkalis, and solvents, with good mechanical strength and affordability.

  • E-CTFE (Ethylene Chlorotrifluoroethylene): Exceptional chemical resistance against strong acids and bases, high-temperature stability, and resistant to stress cracking.

  • PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): Durable and cost-effective material with good chemical resistance to acids, alkalis, and saline solutions. Suitable for applications with moderate temperature and pressure.

  • PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene): Known for its extremely high chemical resistance, inertness, and ability to handle high-temperature applications, making it suitable for the harshest environments.

These materials ensure compatibility with a wide range of aggressive chemical solutions typically used in odour neutralisation processes.

Additional Benefits of Tecnium Pumps in Odour Control Units

  • Extended equipment lifespan thanks to exceptional chemical resistance.

  • Reduced operational downtime, resulting in lower maintenance and operational costs.

  • Improved overall efficiency and reliability, essential for continuous industrial operations.

Selecting Tecnium Pumps for Optimal Odour Control

Choosing Tecnium pumps for your Odour Control Unit ensures efficient odour management, reliable operation, and long-term system durability. Take advantage of Tecnium’s extensive expertise and high-performance solutions tailored specifically for industrial odour control applications.

Contact the Tecnium team today to discuss your requirements, request detailed product information, or arrange a personalised consultation with our technical experts.

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FAQs

An Odour Control Unit is an industrial system designed to neutralise or remove odours generated by processes such as wastewater treatment, chemical production, and waste management through methods like chemical scrubbing, activated carbon filtration, or biofiltration.

Pumps ensure the efficient circulation and precise dosing of chemical solutions necessary for effective odour neutralisation. Proper pump selection is crucial for maintaining system reliability and performance.

Tecnium pumps are capable of safely handling aggressive chemicals including sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), hydrochloric acid (HCl), and other corrosive substances commonly used in odour control processes.

Yes, specific Tecnium pump models, such as the BT vertical sump pump, are designed with dry-running capabilities, preventing damage during temporary flow interruptions.

Tecnium provides expert technical advice tailored to your needs. Contact our team directly for assistance with selecting the optimal pump based on your system requirements and chemical compatibility.