Proceedings

Silsoe Odours’ experience with odour emission measurements, dispersion modelling and field impact surveys can confirm whether odour complaints are likely, or justified, for a given site.

This presentation discusses the usefulness of these techniques, when used in isolation, in predicting odour impact. It draws on two examples; a research project for a poultry farm, and a commercial project for an AD plant.

In both cases, we carried out an odour emission assessment. This involved collecting odour samples and analysing according to BSEN13725:2003. The results were used to determine the odour impact footprint, using dispersion modelling.

Simultaneously, we conducted field odour impact surveys to assess odour intensity, following VDI 3940 guidance.

The data showed a good link between all three data sets, for both sites. The dispersion models accurately predicted the region of complaints. The results of field odour impact surveys correlated with the laboratory measurements from the odour emission assessment.