Forecasting Odor Levels for Biosolids Production Based on Ambient Conditions

Abstract

Biosolids are the solid residuals of wastewater treatment that have been treated to reduce pathogens and can be used as fertilizer for agricultural purposes. The major disposal option of biosolids from wastewater treatment plants is land application. Since biosolids odor quality is inconsistent, there is a possibility that odorous biosolids can be distributed to field sites nearby residential areas. The objective of this thesis was to create statistical models using the processing data and ambient conditions at Blue Plains wastewater treatment plant to predict biosolids odor levels. The model shows that FeCl3 addition in the primary process, lime addition, the number of centrifuges out of service and the temperature at the plant are parameters that can be used to predict biosolids odor.