In the recycling world, everyone rightly considers waste to be a raw material. The only problem is that the reconversion process often produces odour nuisance, which can inhibit constructive relationships with local residents. A preventive approach enabled a Dutch waste sorting company to avoid any odour complaints.
A recycling company in the North of the Netherlands recently invested in a totally new site. The company specialises in receiving and the initial sorting of batches of unsorted coarse household waste and building and demolition waste. The receipt of the goods takes place in the acceptance hall, where the waste is stocked for up to three days. The processing takes place in the sorting hall, where an entirely mechanical waste sorting system sorts wood, rubble, plastics, and ferrous, non-ferrous and compostable organic waste into batches for transportation to its own or specialised processing centres.
The waste sorter is located in the vicinity of a residential area and wanted to minimise the impact of its production processes on the environment by cleverly anticipating potential odour nuisance. The company wanted to enhance the sound ventilation of the most important production halls (acceptance hall and sorting hall) with a high-performance system.
The company first considered a biofilter (biobed), but because of various factors, this proved not to be the correct option: such a system would take up a considerable portion of the site, would require permanent maintenance and also emits a certain odour into the surrounding area. Moreover, the regional climate proved not to be ideal to ensure optimum biobed functioning throughout the year.
Ultimately the choice fell on filtration using mobile activated charcoal filters. For the acceptance hall (discharge 35,000 m³/h), Desotec installed an Aircon V-L filter. The sorting hall (discharge 100,000 m³/h) was equipped with 2 Aircon V-XL filters installed in parallel. These have an individual capacity of 55,000 m³/h. Both types of filters were installed on an Airconnect pedestal, where the piping enters.
The system of filters was installed in June 2017. The filters were deployed immediately on commissioning of the new factory (July 2017). Moreover, they require minimum investment and are functional throughout the year, independent of climate conditions. The filters absorb the highest peaks efficiently and ensure that no disturbing odours are released. Tests showed that the first 'odour penetration' took place after around half a year. Once the filters are completely saturated, Desotec provides quick replacement.
The customer does not need to worry about maintenance and noted that the system functioned perfectly in the summer; the most critical period for odours. In the long term, this company aims to construct new waste sorting systems in other locations, which will also be fitted with mobile activated charcoal filters.