Hydrogen sulfide is an extremely hazardous gas. It is poisonous, corrosive, and flammable, and can cause a wide range of short and long-term health issues. At low levels, hydrogen sulfide generates strong, offensive odors that can make some people sick. Prolonged exposure to hydrogen sulfide however can cause individuals to experience nausea, headaches, eye and respiratory tract problems. Extremely high hydrogen sulfide levels can lead to life-threatening consequences and even death.
Hydrogen sulfide results from the bacterial breakdown of organic matter as well as from industrial activities, such as paper and pulp mills, food processing plants, and refineries.
Any workers or residents who come into contact with high hydrogen sulfide levels can become unconscious and be seriously injured. Hydrogen sulfide is also known to cause severe corrosion problems and damage to concrete and steel infrastructure such as sewer systems.
If your business is currently experiencing any of these problems, or if you are looking for a more effective solution to manage your hydrogen sulfide levels, read on to learn more about how Histosol can help.
What is Histosol?
Histosol is a natural product derived from organic matter consisting of natural soil constituents, making it a safe, environmentally friendly and economical odor control solution for a wide range of odorous compounds and applications in various industries.
Histosol contains a combination of humate salts, humic acids, lignin matter and extractions of highly humified organic matters – powerful components that capture odorous compounds and interrupt their corrosive reactions, and enhance biological activities for solids degradation.
Case Study #1: Hydrogen Sulfide Reduction at Rock Quarry Site
Problem
A 70 year-old quarry site received numerous complaints from local businesses who were concerned about the odors generated by the quarry. The site also produced very high levels of hydrogen sulfide. Fragrances were used to try to mask the odors but were ineffective at doing so. The quarry was looking for a more effective solution to reduce the offensive odors and high hydrogen sulfide levels.
Solution
The initial treatment of 25 gallons of Histosol was added to the quarry’s 25,000-gallon basin. The quarry installed a metering pump to apply this set amount on a daily basis.
Results
Within 24 hours of the first Histosol treatment, the hydrogen sulfide level was reduced by 86%, from 154 PPM to 22 PPM. Odor complaints from local businesses have stopped altogether shortly after the Histosol application.
Case Study #2: Hydrogen Sulfide & Corrosion Control at Pulp and Paper Mill
Problem
A pulp and paper mill in Georgia had been receiving complaints from local residents and government officials for the offensive odors generated by the plant’s effluent, which was released into the municipal wastewater treatment system. Residents were also reporting discoloration of their windows and shades, and worse, the high levels of hydrogen sulfide were causing residents headaches and sore eyes.
The city’s sewer system was also impacted by the high hydrogen sulfide levels. Blowouts and extensive corrosion of the sewer system began advancing at an alarming rate. The corrosion was traced back to the leaching hydrogen sulfide that deteriorated the concrete material. With increasing pressure from local residents and government officials, the plant needed to find an effective solution to solve the problems caused by its high hydrogen sulfide levels.
Solution
The sewer system near the pulp and paper mill as well as sites located in the city were treated with Histosol. Metering stations were installed at problem areas where high levels of hydrogen sulfide were being generated, to measure and set the appropriate amount of Histosol application needed to treat the effluent from the plant.
Results
Over the course of a three-year study, local residents and government officials reported dramatic improvements in the air quality near the plant and also in the city.
The plant also saw significant reduction in its high hydrogen sulfide levels. For example, one problem area was consistently generating hydrogen sulfide reading above 50 PPM. The day before Histosol treatment, the hydrogen sulfide reading was 62 PPM. The day after the application, the reading dropped by 81% to 12 PPM.
Corrosion tests were also conducted at numerous sites in the sewer system. The three-year study found the Histosol treatment was extremely effective at eliminating corrosion problems caused by hydrogen sulfide. Over the three-year study period, corrosion levels at the selected sites were reduced by an average of 87.5%. As a result, the city was able to significantly reduce the number of expensive repairs needed by the city sewer system.
After Histosol treatment was introduced, the pulp and paper mill was no longer receiving complaints from local residents and government officials concerning the problems caused by high hydrogen sulfide levels.
For more information about Histosol click here or check out our website or contact me at neel@chemtech-usa.com.