odor abatement: types and methods

Odor removal is the science of neutralizing unpleasant smells.
We shouldn't ignore bad odors just because they are annoying; they are often the first sign that harmful pollutants are present in the air we breathe.

September 21, 2023

Odor Control:
How to Choose the Right Method for Every Situation

Odor abatement is the process of reducing or eliminating unpleasant odors from an environment.

The perception of a bad smell should not be underestimated because it may not only concern the aspect related to well-being, i.e. the perceived annoyance but could be indicative of the presence of a polluting substance in the air and therefore harmful to health.

The first step is to identify the source of the odor. While this may seem like a simple suggestion, pinpointing the exact origin and type of smell can be quite complex. There are various odor abatement systems available, and a solution that works perfectly for one substance might be completely ineffective for another.

There are several methods for odor abatement, which can be utilized individually or in combination.

Standard Technologies
for Odor Control

Adsorption

Adsorption filtration is a separation method that utilizes an adsorbent material (most commonly activated carbon, zeolite, or clay) to remove unwanted particles or molecules from a fluid or gas. The adsorbent medium has a strong affinity for these targeted substances. As the fluid or gas passes through the material, the unwanted molecules are attracted to and trapped on the surface of the adsorbent.

Decomposition

In this process, odors are decomposed by microorganisms, such as bacteria or fungi, which feed on the odorous substances and metabolize them into harmless products like water, carbon dioxide, and other simple compounds. While this is a natural and eco-friendly system, it has significant drawbacks. Currently, it is primarily limited to industrial applications because it requires specialized maintenance; the microorganisms must be constantly replenished and monitored to remain effective. Furthermore, the efficiency of this deodorization method is highly variable and can take considerable time to become fully operational.

Odor Neutralization

In this process, odor molecules are neutralized by chemical agents (such as salts, acids, or alkalis) that transform them into odorless substances. This method is effective against both organic and chemical odors; however, it requires precise knowledge of the source to select the appropriate neutralizing agent. While there are many consumer products calibrated for common household smells, this system is primarily intended for industrial use due to the technical precision required for specific pollutants."

What is a scrubber and how does it work?

filtration

Airflow is directed through filtration media designed to retain odorous compounds—activated carbon being the most prevalent. Within this field, photocatalytic filters are gaining significant traction for odor control. Although the underlying science has been known for some time, its commercial application has surged recently, utilizing the photocatalytic process to break down molecules at the source.

Photocatalytic Filtration: An Innovative Method for Odor Abatement

Photocatalytic filtration is a photochemical reaction in which a catalyst (titanium dioxide) irradiated by light, decomposes pollutants in whose composition carbon is present.
With this technology, purification takes place through photocatalysis, by which the titanium dioxide absorbs ultraviolet (UV) light and uses the generated energy to break down VOC molecules into simpler and harmless compounds, such as carbon dioxide and water.

These filters have the disadvantage of being more expensive than normal carbon filters, but they also have some important advantages:

Advantages of titanium dioxide filtration:

Effectiveness: It can remove a wide range of VOCs, even those at low concentrations.
Selectivity: It can selectively target VOCs, leaving other gases present in the air or water unaffected.
Environmental compatibility: It does not use hazardous chemicals and does not produce harmful byproducts.
Low maintenance: Titanium dioxide filters are relatively robust and require minimal maintenance.
Bactericidal power: enhanced when used with UVC

It is one of the best air purification methods, as it does not simply filter pollutants (in the traditional sense of "retaining"), but destroys them and, therefore, manages to be effective even against substances too small to be physically blocked by a filter, such as, for example, bad smells.

Moving beyond traditional filters

Discover how photocatalysis can solve your air treatment challenges.

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