Air biofiltering system management and removal efficiency of odour emissions from a preselection solid waste plant

The present work show the results of an experimental survey carried out in order to optimize efficiency of an air biofiltering system applied to a solid waste preselection plant. Investigations are executed on a biofilter applied to the solid waste preliminary treatment plant of Piano did Tiedoli-Borgotaro (PR). Different conditions of management are tested in order to obtain increase in efficiency of odours removal. In this case smell measurement are executed and compared with typical chemical odours indicators as metyl-mercaptan and dimetyl-sulphide with the aim to predict, by modelling, and verify, by measurements, a few management actions useful to reduce odour emissions. These actions are often necessary, during plant functioning, when variations in waste characteristics, in humidity and temperature could modify loadings and typology of odours. Main aim of the work is to obtain a general increase of environmental performance of the system according with directive 96/61/CEE about IPPC and with the tools of voluntary accession to environmental certification of EMAS managing system.