Hyperion WWTP Treating Odors with USFilter, RJ Environmental Products' LO/PRO Odor Scrubber

N/Ae past ten years, the Hyperion Treatment Plant in Los Angeles, CA has used single-stage packed towers followed by activated carbon for odor control. Maintenance problems and high operating expenses prompted an investigation of alternatives.

<%=company%> was asked to design and test a multi-stage pilot unit for the treatment of plant odors. Data from the 2,000 cubic-feet-per-minute pilot plant showed that chemical costs could be reduced by 50% using properly designed multi-stage towers. Based on successful pilot plant results, U.S. Filter/RJ Environmental was awarded a contract to provide a full scale LO/PRO three-stage scrubber system as proof of concept study.

The system was required to treat a foul air flow rate of 20,000 cfm containing a maximum inlet hydrogen sulfide concentration of 100 parts per million, and to achieve a minimum removal efficiency of 99.0%. The system was designed to operate with caustic in the first stage, caustic and bleach in the second stage, and caustic in the third stage. It has the capability of operating with acid and bleach in the second stage to increase removal efficiencies for organics such as mercaptans and dimethyl disulfide.

USFilter, RJ Environmental Products met a very tight schedule on the project. The order was placed in April, 1997. Installation began six months later, and the system was operational in March 1998.

Design engineer on this project is the public/private partnership of the City of Los Angeles' Environmental Engineering Division and Montgomery-Watson, El Segundo, CA. US Filter is represented on the project by MISCO.