An experimental determination of the H2S overall mass transfer coefficient from quiescent surfaces at wastewater treatment plants

This study has investigated overall mass transfer coefficients of hydrogen sulphide from quiescent liquid surfaces under simulated laboratory conditions. Wind flow (friction velocity) has been correlated with the overall mass transfer coefficient (KL) of hydrogen sulphide in the liquid phase using a wind tunnel study. The experimental values for this coefficient have been compared with predicted KL values obtained from three different emission models that are widely used to determine volatilization rates from the quiescent surfaces of wastewater treatment unit processes. Friction velocity (in a range of 0.11 and 0.27 m s−1) was found to have a negligible influence on the overall mass transfer coefficients for hydrogen sulphide but by contrast two of the models predicted a stronger influence of friction velocity and overestimate the KL values by up to a factor of 12.5, thus risking unnecessary expenditure on odour control measures. However, at low wind speeds or friction velocities, when more odour complaints might be expected due to poor atmospheric dispersion, a better agreement of emission rates with experimental data was found for all the models.

► Volatilization of H2S was investigated under different flow conditions. ► Friction velocity does not affect volatilization of H2S at low wind speed. ► WATER9 model provided more realistic estimates of volatilization of H2S. ► Emission models overestimates overall mass transfer coefficient of H2S. ► Volatilization of H2S can be treated as constant for low wind speed conditions.