Temporal and longitudinal characteristics of volatile organic compound emissions from aeration units of publicly owned treatment works

The temporal and longitudinal characteristics of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from the aeration units of a publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) have been investigated by systematic monitoring and mathematical modeling. Field tests have been conducted at a 120-mgd wastewater treatment plant to investigate the hourly, weekly, and seasonal changes of VOC emissions. Variations of VOC emissions along the length of the aeration units have been tested and modeled. Most VOCs have decreasing concentration profiles. Henry's law coefficients and biodegradation constants for the detected compounds have been validated with the improved models and the field test data. More than one-half of the emissions were found to have been generated from the first one-third of the aeration unit length.