Kurnell Vacuum Pump Station

The application of odour control to Vacuum Wastewater Pump Stations is problematic as a results of the inherent operational issues:

1. High exit temperature (> 65^oC) of the untreated gases as the positive displacement of gas passing through the vacuum pumps elevates the gas temperature.
2. Variability of gas flow as it is dependent on pump operational frequency.
3. High humidity of the untreated air stream.

Adsorption (activated carbon) and biotrickling, two conventional odour control techniques, cannot function in a vacuum pump station. The FiltaMod Hybrid system from Bioaction, which uses biofiltration technology for the primary treatment process and an adsorption system for the remaining gases (mostly VOCs), was recommended and provided.

The FiltaMod Biofilter has a record of success on vacuum pump stations, where it continuously treats intermittent odorous emissions without reducing the amount of empty bed resonance time (EBRT). The distinct media profile insulates against the high temperature and sporadic flows, preserving the biomass needed to metabolise the gases.

Designed for a total flow rate of 1,620 m³/hr (450 L/s) there were numerous functional design challenges taken into account for the project, including continuous operational monitoring, pressure relief values to safeguard vacuum pump operations, and pump operation interlocks for the humidification system.