DETERMINATION OF ODOR SOURCES FOR CONTROL
The successful solution of odor pollution problems first requires an assessment of the nature and extent of the problems. A plant or facility that emits odor from a single source (such as ii stack or vent) requires less effort than a plant with a variety of odor sources that may number in the hundreds. In the latter case, there is a need to assess the problem in such terms as to achieve maximum reduction in odor at a minimal control cost. Quantitative and accurate measurements of the various emission sources and their contribution to the odor in the ambient air must be determined in order to identify and rank the various sources that should receive priority for control. Accurate measurements of odor strength relative to concentration are also useful for defining the degree of control necessary for the single-source situation. Attempts to relate source odor measurements with ambient odors by the use of diffusion equations have met with varying degrees of success.1.2 Wohlers,l utilizing an evacuated bulb technique for sampling stack gases from a petroleum coking plant, a kralt paper mill, an anion-garlic dehydrating plant, and a rotogravure printing plant, found that odor measurements at the stacks did not agree in all cases with the calculated dilutions at the distances in the field where the odors were noted. Hogstrom2 demonstrated that a fluctuating plume dispersion model can be used to give realistic estimates of odor frequencies around a point source when the odor thresholds of the chimney gases (sulphate pulp factory) are determined by sampling and sensory methods described by Lindvall.3 Our experience in sampling and evaluating odors has indicated that existing sampling techniques such as ASTM syringe method have seriously underestimated the magnitude of odors emitted by a factor in the range of 2OO-2O,OOO.4 We believe that inadequate sampling and evaluation techniques are the major reasons for reported “failures” of dispersion estimates in predicting ambient odors. In our technique, we use trained odor chemists to carry out odor surveys of the surrounding areas to define the odor types and intensities perceived off-site and to conduct in-plant surveys to identify all significant odor sources. T o supplement this, we have developed a source-sampling detailed laboratory odor-evaluation technique to allow comparison of the various odor sources and to make use of predictions based on dispersion equations. We have observed reasonably good correlation between predicted odor intensities from the source analyses determined in the laboratory and those observed by our analysts in the field. OFF-SITE SURVEY
A New Microprocessor-Controlled Dynamic Olfactometer
The assessment and abatement of odorous emissions requires odor measurements to determine the magnitude of the problem and the effectiveness of control measures. This paper discusses a new concept in dynamic olfactometers designed to investigate a new approach to odor measurement. Thermal mass flowmeters, with microprocessor controlled flow and automatic valving, supply variable levels of concentrated odorant and clean dilution air to a static mixing device. The accurate and reproducible dilutions are presented to panelists through special funnels, and can be delivered to analyzers to verify the accuracy of dilution. The calibration and design details are discussed. Possible applications and future modifications are also examined.
An Internet-based Real-time Heavy Rainfall Display System
A new storm warning system, which can be accessed through the Internet and by cellular phones is described. At the time of a heavy rainfall for disaster prevention, it is important that every resident understand how heavy is that rainfall. A real-time heavy rainfall display system designed for all of Japan provides such information (http://www.disaster-i.net/rain/). In that system values for 1-hour precipitation, 24-hour accumulated precipitation, etc. are displayed at every observatory. Advantages are that not only the latest observations but differences from the historical highest records can be seen. Almost all information is displayed by characters so that users have easy access to the system even when the communication network is crowded. Access date for the six months after the system opened shows that the average daily number of accesses of the top page was 306, and the largest number 3078. The maximum number for daily access to all the pages was about 21,500. This is about 2% of the number obtained on the same day for a similar system operated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (http://www.river.go.jp/).