Essential Oils Essential to Keeping Operation Open

Problem: A compost operation in the northwestern U.S. was getting numerous complaints of odors (see table) from the surrounding community. Options for controlling the odor were limited, but without a rapid resolution, facility closure was imminent.

The company decided early on that it would be unable to use a biofiltration system because the operation took place entirely in the open air. However, were enclosing possible, the company would nevertheless have rejected the biofilter because of its initial capital cost.

Solution: Ecolo Odor Control Systems was able to offer an inexpensive and effective alternative: spraying of a complex mix of essential oil—sprayed from specially designed nozzles fed by a pump controlled by a timer. A portable system was installed at two sides of the site perimeter. The nozzle location was based on prevailing winds, and the location of most of the complaints.

The complaints stopped immediately, and after several months of operation the system was installed permanently around the perimeter.

Contact: Ecolo Odor Control Systems, 1222 Fewster Drive Mississauga, Ontario L4W 1A1. Tel: (905) 625-8664; Fax: (905) 625-8892.

The previous Case Study was adapted from an extract of an article appearing in the May 1998 issue of Recycling Product News and authored by E. Paul Chapple and Ian Howard on the staff of Ecolo Odor Control Systems.