Pragmatic evaluation of odour emissions from a rendering plant in southern Brazil

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2016 Dec;23(23):24115-24124. doi: 10.1007/s11356-016-7509-0. Epub 2016 Sep 17.

Abstract

In the food industry and linked activities, environmental impacts relate mainly to the generation of liquid and gaseous effluents. Rendering plants, which process animal by-products, are strongly associated with malodorous emissions. Thus, effective odour-control technologies are required to minimise odour annoyance in nearby communities and thereby public complaints. In this paper, the effectiveness of a biofilter for the treatment of odours from a meat-rendering plant located in southern Brazil was evaluated based on German guideline VDI 3477:2004-11. Samples were collected upstream and downstream of the gas treatment system using a pragmatic approach in order to minimise the cost of such a study. Odour concentration was determined according to European standard EN 13725:2003. The results showed an OER of 8.82 × 108 ouE h-1 and odour removal efficiency lower than the established benchmark set by SEMA Resolution 054/2006, taken as reference for being the only Brazilian regulation to establish quantitative odour emission criteria. Enhancement of the biofiltration system and/or association with other odour abatement technologies are required to increase odour removal, limit impacts and comply with regulatory requirements. The paper also includes a discussion on the current odour regulation in Brazil.

Keywords: Biofiltration; Dynamic olfactometry; Nuisance; Odour assessment; Regulation; Rendering process.

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants / analysis*
  • Air Pollution / analysis
  • Animals
  • Brazil
  • Environment
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Gases / analysis
  • Odorants / analysis*
  • Tanning*

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Gases