Potassium Permanganate controls sewage odors

Introduction The terms sewage, sludge, municipal wastewater, and others related to the collection and disposal of human and industrial wastes almost automatically “trigger” a negative reaction by the general public, due primarily to the odors that are coincidental to the transport and treatment of wastewater. I t is probably true that every sewage collection system and treatment plant has encountered an odor problem of some type, at some time. If it was not corrected by chemical treatment or mechanical changes in the system, discontent and complaints from nearby neighbors or passersby resulted.“) The odors are almost always associated with sulfides (especially hydrogen sulfide) but can also be caused by amines, aldehydes, ketones and other organic compounds. These odors may be a r e sult of industrial discharges; reactions which take place between combinations of industrial and municipal wastes mixing in the system; or bacterial action of the sewage itself.C21 The odors may occur in the collection system, at pumping stations, or a t the plant itself. While there was always a great deal of pressure on industry who operate their waste treatment plants to correct the odor problems, it was not until very recently that municipalities have been pressured to solve their problems. This pressure has led to a search for various chemicals which could assist in controlling odors effectively and economically. The two main classes of chemicals b e ing investigated are deodorants and oxidants. While deodorants simply mask or “cover up” the odors with “perfume” type substitutes, the oxidants provide chemical destruction of the compounds causing the odors.(2) Other benefits derived from oxidants include reduction of BOD and COD, improved DO, better settling, and improved sludge cake dryness. The addition of oxidants therefore appears to be the solution to a number of problems, including the prevention of corrosion in sewer lines.