The importance of maintaining odour control systems before summer

Performing scheduled maintenance on odor control systems is essential to ensure their efficiency and prevent critical situations, especially during the summer period.

High temperatures and humidity indeed amplify the perception of unpleasant odors generated by many industrial processes and treatment plants, especially when located in coastal areas with high tourist traffic.

The combination of typical summer weather conditions and the proximity of plants to hospitality facilities such as hotels, restaurants, campsites, and beach resorts can make suboptimal emissions management a serious issue, with social and environmental impacts as well as damage to the area's reputation.

For this reason, planning preventive maintenance of the plants is a strategic choice.

An example in this regard is one of the main Italian Multiutilities, fully publicly owned, which entrusted us with the maintenance of several odor abatement plants installed at six sites along the Northeast coastline, near seaside resorts and tourist centers.

Active in the integrated water cycle management, treatment and recovery of urban and special waste, local public services, and the energy sector, the company serves a territory of 2,650 km², consisting of 51 member municipalities, with over 930,000 inhabitants and about 50 million annual tourist visits.

A long-time client of Labiotest, this company has installed several plants equipped with osmogenic barrier technology in areas with high odor sensitivity. Demonstrating a strategic vision, it chose to implement a preventive maintenance and revamping plan to ensure full efficiency of the plants ahead of the summer season, following the winter inactivity period when the plants are generally put into rest.

The approach adopted is similar to what has already been applied in other complex interventions, such as our work at a liquid waste treatment plant, where we restored the scrubber and the suction system, improving treatment efficiency and preventing possible odor issues.

The revamping and efficiency restoration intervention carried out by Labiotest

The scheduled maintenance service we performed on the Multiutility’s plants included:

• a general inspection of the plant by our specialized technicians;
• restoration of proper functioning and replacement of worn components;
• supply of the most suitable neutralizing product for the specific type of odor emission.

Thanks to this preventive activity, it was possible to ensure full operational efficiency of the plants before the seasonal peak, avoiding disruptions and minimizing potential odor nuisances affecting residents, tourism operators, and visitors.

Specific maintenance for osmogenic barrier plants

Unlike other odor abatement systems, osmogenic barrier plants work not by physical removal but by olfactory neutralization, releasing active compounds into the environment that interfere with odor-causing molecules.

Typical maintenance activities for these systems include:

• periodic inspection of spray nozzles: checking for clogs caused by scale or sediment (especially with hard water and summer temperatures);
• checking the operation of the dosing system and pump;
• verifying the level and concentration of the neutralizing agent: the product must be dosed correctly to ensure effective odor abatement;
• inspecting pipes and fittings: to prevent product leaks or pressure variations;
• adjusting the system’s timing: with increased summer odor emissions, it may be necessary to modify operating times and usage hours;
• monitoring coverage of the targeted area: to ensure adequate coverage of any new critical zones, mobile nebulization systems may be used to provide flexible application suited to actual emissions.

A planned and customized maintenance strategy not only helps prevent breakdowns and service interruptions but also contributes to:

• improving the overall efficiency of the systems;
• extending operational lifespan;
• reducing long-term management costs;
• strengthening commitment to environmental sustainability.

Do you want to keep your odor abatement systems always efficient, safe, and compliant with regulations?

Our assistance, maintenance, and revamping – SOS Service – ensure systems are always operational and ready to meet local needs.

Contact us for a free consultation and find out how we can support you in managing odor emissions.