Odor Control and Peracetic Acid

Benefits of Peracetic Acid for Odor Control

Peracetic acid controls odor emissions at rendering plants by serving as a powerful liquid oxidizer, removing scale in packed beds and allowing process scrubbers more surface area to control emissions. 

Typical odor abatement chemicals are bleach, chlorine dioxide, and hydrogen peroxide. Unlike bleach, Hydrite peracetic acid is not deactivated by organics in the scrubber water.

Using peracetic acid to assist in odor control has several other key benefits: 

Enhanced Safety

Compared to chlorine dioxide generation, peracetic acid reduces chemicals and the maintenance surrounding a multi-chemical system. Employees are not exposed to chlorine dioxide fumes..

Reduced Odor

Peracetic acid reduces odor at the scrubber system, the plant facility and the surrounding community. 

EXAMPLES OF TREATABLE ODOR COMPOUNDS

• Hydrosulfide: (hydrogen sulfi de liquid phase)
• Thiols (mercaptans): (methane-, ethane-, etc.)
• Volatile fatty acids: (butyric, acetic acid, etc.)
• Carbon disulfide
• Dimethyl sulfide (-disulfide, -trisulfide)

Favorable Use Costs

Peracetic acid eliminates the need for multiple chemicals used in chlorine dioxide generation. Instead, one chemical has multiple functions: 

• Acid will chew up mineral deposits and scale
• Oxidation mechanisms will penetrate organic scale

This minimizes equipment (generator) maintenance. 

Ease of Use

Most chlorine dioxide generators use venturi systems that can be used to feed peracetic acid. Overall, there is no need for a new pump. Plus, operators can monitor the flow of one chemical versus multiple chemicals.