What may not be as well known is the exceptional versatility the STX Process brings to other applications such as:

• Industrial Pre-treatment
• Food production and animal processing facilities
• Environmental groundwater and soil remediation
• Landfill leachate
• Animal waste
• Lagoons
• Floodwater disinfection
• ORP adjustment

Other services provided by Source Technologies –

• Microbial oil spill clean-up technology
• pH adjustment in wastewater

Clarksville touts progress on fixing sewer odor
By DAVID A. MANN

You smell that Lincoln Drive? It smells like victory.

After years of trouble, some in an area of Clarksville — near Lincoln Drive and North Clark Boulevard — are reporting that a more than 20-year-old odor problem has been fixed.

The issue, according to Clarksville Town Council President Greg Isgrigg, had been a smelly 8.5-mile sewer pipe, which connects the town’s north end to the nearby sewer plant. Isgrigg notes that a new, still experimental system was installed that’s quelled the smell.

“We’re thrilled by it,” said Angela Smith, co-owner of Cannon’s Florist, one of a handful of businesses in the area.

The florist has been at the location for about seven years and there were times when the odor was “really tremendous,” she said. Since the new process was put in place, she said those in the area have been able to enjoy the neighborhood much more than before.

The town of Clarksville was recognized recently with an award from the Indiana Water Environment Association for the effort. Isgrigg bragged that he was able to stick his head in a manhole along the line and continue breathing normally.

WHAT THEY DO
The town implemented what’s known as the VSP system. “It is very powerful chemistry,” said Stewart North, president of field operations for Source Technologies — the Lexington, Ky.-based company that developed Clarksville’s system. Clarksville was the first in the country to adopt the patent-pending process, North said.

The system, which is based at Ray Lawrence Park, was installed in February. A pump there adds pure oxygen (generated on-site) and the catalyst — which is basically an organic compound — to a nearby force main.

The two elements oxidize the sewage in the pipe, essentially removing the sulfide contained in the water before it has a chance to become hydrogen sulfide – which is what smells so bad, explains North.

None of this is to say there’s nothing smelly in Clarksville anymore. Those closer to the sewage treatment plant on North Clark Boulevard, such as Debbie Rager, co-owner of Pro Sound Music Shop, can still smell the plant.

However, Isgrigg said, the dry summer and fall — where the line may have been more stagnant than in wetter years — was a good test for the catalyst.

“If I haven’t done anything else in the last five years, I’ve solved that problem,” he joked.

The STX Process occurs when Source’s STX catalyst, a complex organic compound, is combined with selected oxidizing agents in solution to rapidly generate significant quantities of free hydroxyl radicals. Free radicals oxidize compounds by removing electrons from the compound to achieve stoichiometric balance, therefore, reduction/oxidation is the result and the STX Process works over a range of pH from 6 to 9. With the correct amount of oxidant (i.e. H2O2), the target compound(s) and STX catalyst are consumed in the process leaving only CO2, salts and water as final products with complete oxidation. The STX Process can be employed in a variety of ways and is easily adaptable to existing treatment and collection systems.

The STX Process can replace existing oxidative wastewater treatment systems of any size. Importantly, STX-based treatment systems are usually more efficient and provide for lower cost than competing oxidation treatment systems. A STX Process system requires no materials of special construction and power requirements are absolutely minimal and the design is simple. Metered injection of the ingredients, rapid in-line mixing, and adequate retention time are the primary design criteria.

Application of the STX Process is very straightforward. The process simply requires deploying the STX catalyst with the oxidizing agent into the targeted wastewater with adequate mixing. The reaction occurs quickly thereafter. Since the STX process occurs at or near neutral pH, there is no need for expensive equipment of special construction for metering the catalyst. Metering of the oxidizing agent component typically requires a commonly available PVC or polyethylene metering pump. Importantly, as the STX catalyst is EPA/T.S.C.A.-certified as “green” for safe use within the environment, there are no compounds within the STX catalyst that would cause concern for corrosion of piping or have any negative impact on WWTP processes.

Let Source demonstrate the versatility and cost-effectiveness of the STX Process for H2S treatment in your wastewater treatment system today.

Download the MSDS

Proven Technologies. Proven Results.

Treatment of sulfide within collection systems is a difficult challenge. The organisms responsible for the production of sulfide are ubiquitous. They will grow within a collection system at any point where oxygen is limiting. Anaerobic or anoxic zones within a collection system create the perfect environment for the production of sulfide. Sulfide producing organisms harvest all oxygen molecules from oxygen rich sulfur compounds (e.g. sulfate, sulfite) commonly available within the wastewater for use in their metabolic processes. The resulting sulfide production causes significant odor issues and tremendous damage to infrastructure primarily from corrosion. Corrosion occurs as sulfide is converted to sulfuric acid by another class of organisms that use sulfide as an energy source.

Nitrate-based chemistry, as a basis of H2S control, can be very expensive, particularly in those situations where sulfide has already formed within the wastewater prior to nitrate addition. Under these circumstances, significant quantities of nitrate are necessary to induce organisms to consume sulfide. Nitrate seems better suited for sulfide control as a deterrent to formation, not for sulfide control after it has already formed. Studies conducted using nitrate in those situations where sulfide was a pre-existing condition prior to the addition of nitrate indicate that costly amounts of the chemical are necessary to control sulfide.

Source’s patent-pending ETX Process was developed to cost-effectively destroy sulfide that is present at the delivery point while also providing treatment for long retention times within force mains and gravity sewer systems. The method also acts to kill those organisms responsible for sulfide production as a third benefit.

The ETX Process occurs when Source’s ETX catalyst, a complex organic compound, is combined with selected oxidizing agents, i.e. H2O2, in solution. This attacks the H2S problem in a two-fold manner. First, any H2S already present will be oxidized within minutes. Secondly, hours later when the oxidation is completed, formation of new H2S is prevented for up to 60 hours!

Control of sulfides within variable length and multiple line collection systems can be complex as no two systems are identical. For this reason, Source can provide ETX Process blends that are specific to the customer’s needs. This allows for the most efficient and cost-effective treatment for long detention times on the market today.

With proper set-up, the ETX Process line of products will solve sulfide control issues effectively and economically. This is truly a break-through technology that can provide the control for sulfide that has been sorely needed within wastewater treatment.

Download the MSDS

Proven Technologies. Proven Results.

When one thinks of sewers, wastewater treatment plants and the contents associated with them the connotation of a dark dank pipe that reeks of odors comes to mind. The treatment plant being the recipient of the sewers has to be equally offensive. For the most part this has always been true. Wastewater smells. This is the plain fact. It smells and at times it smells really bad.

THE GOAL – TO SMELL LIKE A TROUT STREAM
Hydrogen Sulfide gas is the primary chemical produced in the sewers and smells of rotten cabbage. Hydrogen Sulfide is one of the base chemicals that other more complex odors are formed from. If the base chemical is removed then the other complex chemicals can’t form. The examples of more complex odor causing compounds could include: Mercaptans, Skatole, Indole, Putrescene, Thiols and the ever pleasant Cadaverine – each with its own odor characteristics.

The goal of economically making both sewers and treatment plants odor free, or at least greatly diminished of odors, has been to date generally unobtainable. There have been chemicals available to diminish some of the odors but the costs were extremely prohibitive. Just recently, however, a new company – Source Technologies- with a new product line came to the Northeast looking for a progressive municipality to test their products.

Their process to be tested was to take 50% hydrogen peroxide and mix it with their proprietary catalyst. Catalysts can either speed up or slow down a chemical reaction. In this case the catalyst in combination with 50 %hydrogen peroxide causes the peroxide to become “supercharged”. In this state the chemical reaction is focused on the easiest compounds to be oxidized and in our case it is hydrogen sulfide. Once the reaction occurs it is impossible for hydrogen sulfide to be regenerated once the sulfur molecule has been taken away from the hydrogen molecules. This reaction happens within 5 minutes.

Another major side benefit of the removal of hydrogen sulfide from the sewer system is that there shouldn’t be any sulfuric acid produced from the hydrogen sulfide. Sulfuric acid presently causes rapid decay to the pipes, manholes, pump stations, and all associated equipment. The infrastructure won’t be deteriorated from sulfuric acid as it does now.

The main pump station that supplies sewage to the FEV plant was the perfect location to inject and test both chemicals. The detention time to the plant is normally 10 minutes. Within minutes the odor level in the plant should have greatly diminished. Once the chemicals were applied by most accounts the odors were either greatly diminished or completely eliminated. “Smells like a trout stream “or “I smell nothing at all”or “FEV hasn’t smelled this good in 30 yrs.” was heard. This was nothing short of amazing. With such success at FEV, this process was then demo’ed at the Buttonwood Pump Station where it proved to be equally effective. Both the pump station area and the Northwest Facility became odor free. The neighbors there will equally appreciate the change to the air quality.

This process is also to be tested at Shaft #2 where it will hopefully minimize odors on the GCO force main, Plymouth Ave. , Fitzhugh St and then towards the FEV plant. Other locations throughout the County will be tested as time allows.

The overall effectiveness of this process may also help to minimize our dependence on activated carbon towers used throughout the collection system and at the plants The in- plant deodorant spray systems may also be minimized or possibly completely eliminated. The testing of this product will be ongoing through the beginning of 2008 with the obtainable goal of having the neighbors saying “Remember how FEV used to smell?

Those who have helped with this ongoing research have been Herm Thein, Manny Burgio, Steve Bland and Mary Merner, Sean Gibbons, Michelle Bowen, Gary Brown, Scott Gabel, Christy Goodrich, and Dave Lukas.

The VSP Process occurs when Source’s VSP catalyst, a complex organic compound, is combined with oxygen, to rapidly generate significant quantities of superoxide ions which are short one electron. These radicals steal electrons from other molecules i.e. sulfide, thus oxidizing them down to sulfur. The VSP Process works over a range of pH from 6 to 9 and when combined with the correct amount of oxidant (O2) in solution, the target organic compound(s) and VSP catalyst are consumed in the process leaving only CO2, salts and water as final products with complete oxidation. The VSP Process can be employed in a variety of applications and is easily adaptable to existing treatment systems.

The VSP Process can replace existing oxidative wastewater treatment systems of any size. Importantly, VSP- based treatment systems are more efficient and provide for lower cost than competing oxidation treatment systems. The design is simple with metered injection of the ingredients, rapid in-line mixing, and adequate retention time being the primary design criteria. Additionally, the VSP catalyst is EPA/T.S.C.A. – certified as “green” for safe use within the environment.

Application of the VSP Process is very straightforward. The process simply requires metering of the VSP catalyst with oxygen into the targeted wastewater with adequate mixing. The reaction occurs quickly thereafter. The VSP chemistry appears to be viable in a pipe for up to 7 hours and as the VSP process occurs at or near neutral pH, there is no need for expensive equipment of special construction for metering the catalyst.

Metering of the oxygen typically requires a commonly available regulator. Oxygen is produced onsite using a molecular sieve and compressor, therefore, eliminating the need for liquid oxygen tanks and periodic refilling. The VSP catalyst is delivered and transferred by Source Technologies. Furthermore, as no hazardous materials are utilized, this technology is environmentally friendly and capital costs are lowered as are the safety risks.

The VSP Process is the latest in a long line of advanced oxidation solutions offered by Source Technologies. Source strives to provide economical, common sense solutions to odor and corrosion. The VSP Process provides more effective oxidation at a lower cost then any other technology in today’s market.

Download the MSDS

Proven Technologies. Proven Results.

Treatment of sulfide within collection systems is a difficult challenge. The organisms responsible for the production of sulfide are ubiquitous. They will grow within a collection system at any point where oxygen is limiting. Anaerobic or anoxic zones within a collection system create the perfect environment for the production of sulfide. Sulfide producing organisms harvest all oxygen molecules from oxygen rich sulfur compounds (e.g. sulfate, sulfite) commonly available within the wastewater for use in their metabolic processes. The resulting sulfide production causes significant odor issues and tremendous damage to infrastructure primarily from corrosion. Corrosion occurs as sulfide is converted to sulfuric acid by another class of organisms that use sulfide as an energy source.

Nitrate-based chemistry, as a basis of H2S control, can be very expensive, particularly in those situations where sulfide has already formed within the wastewater prior to nitrate addition. Under these circumstances, significant quantities of nitrate are necessary to induce organisms to consume sulfide. Nitrate seems better suited for sulfide control as a deterrent to formation, not for sulfide control after it has already formed.

Studies conducted using nitrate in those situations where sulfide was a pre-existing condition prior to the addition of nitrate indicate that costly amounts of the chemical are necessary to control sulfide.

Source Technologies’ latest addition to its line of advanced oxidation products designed to cost-effectively treat H2S in long force mains is the ESP TECHNOLOGY. The ESP process combines the ESP catalyst with oxygen (O2) in solution creating a superoxide ion.

Unlike the nitrate-based chemistry referenced above that only helps to prevent H2S formation while doing little to treat existing H2S, the advantages of ESP are that it treats both the H2S at the dosing point as well as downstream for up to 48 hours. The oxygen is produced onsite using a molecular sieve and compressor which eliminates the need for liquid oxygen tanks and refilling.

Control of sulfides within variable length and multiple line collection systems can be complex as no two systems are identical. For this reason, Source can provide ESP Technology blends that are specific to the customer’s needs. This allows for the most efficient and cost-effective treatment for long detention times on the market today.

With proper set-up, the ESP Technology is environmentally friendly and will solve sulfide control issues effectively and economically. This is truly a break-through technology that can provide the control for sulfide that has been sorely needed within wastewater treatment.

Download the MSDS

Proven Technologies. Proven Results

Source Technologies, whose principals have long been involved with environmental remediation and municipal wastewater treatment, formed the company to deploy the latest cutting edge technologies that apply to municipal wastewater treatment facilities, industrial pre-treatment activities and environmental restoration.

Today, Source Technologies is proud to be involved with one of the most powerful, comprehensive and cost-effective odor treatment technologies in the municipal wastewater market space.  Our family of advanced oxidation and catalyzed oxygenation technologies are “green”, best-in-class, scalable and simple to operate.

Check us out and let us prove our technology to you!