Hydrogen Sulfide Treatment - H2S Gas in Wastewater - Aquafix

03/09/2021 Hydrogen Sulfide treatment- H2S Gas in Wastewater - Aquafix
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Hydrogen Sulfide Treatment in Wastewater

Do you smell a rotten egg protruding from a manhole or sewer line? In most cases, that
odor is hydrogen sulfide, a toxic gas formed from septic conditions. We treat everything
from small grease traps to some of the world’s largest industries with tanks that emit toxic
levels of sulfide with De-Sulph-A-Nator, juggernaut in the field of hydrogen sulfide
treatment.
What is Hydrogen Sulfide?

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such as toxicity, noxious odors, and the generation of corrosive sulfuric acid.
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Sulfur is present in human and livestock waste as organic sulfides, such as mercaptans and
disulfides. It is also present in rainfall, primarily over metropolitans areas, but the most
common source of sulfide is in domestic wastewater as sulfate. An industry can also
generate sulfate/sulfide wastes that may contribute to sulfide levels in wastewater such as:
Sulfate- Seen in sea food processing or fermentation plants

Sulfide- Seen in tanneries and paper manufacturing
Sulfite
Thiosulfate
Decomposition of xanthates used in the mining industry (12).
These sulfide-containing contaminants will either be oxidized (react with metals to form
insoluble metal sulfides) or be released to the sewer (8, 13). When sewage becomes
stagnant, H2S gas is generated in the anaerobic conditions. H2S can start to form sulfuric
acid in lift stations and wastewater treatment plants, which will corrode cement and steel
structures.
Our De-Sulph-A-Nator binds the sulfide and dissipate the odors over lift stations, wet wells,
and sludge holding tanks, while OxyPaks XL disrupts the sulfur producing biofilm.
Process of Sulfide Production

The process of hydrogen sulfide generation depends on pH, temperature, and reactant
concentrations (11). Hydrogen sulfide gas in the sewer atmosphere may be adsorbed in the
thin film of water that normally covers the sewer walls and may be partially oxidized to
sulfuric acid by bacteria of the genus Thiobacillus (8).
Bacterial colonies and gas products are formed when bacteria in a wastewater system has
favorable nutrient loadings and plenty of space above the water line. These bacterial
colonies tend to lower the pH and cause Thiobacillus to oxidize the H2S and secrete
sulfuric acid, causing corrosion. This corrosion is often called Microbiologically Induced
Corrosion (MIC) and can rapidly deteriorate cement and iron piping.
H2S Gas Toxicity Concerns 2

Hydrogen sulfide is a toxic concern for wastewater operators, especially if odor-masking
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The high toxicity associated with H2S gas is due to its ability to bind to iron centers in
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mitochondrial cytochrome biocatalysts, which effectively stops cellular respiration and
deprives essential organs of energy (3). Although humans do possess biocatalysts in the
liver that oxidize hydrogen sulfide to sulfate, high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide will
overwhelm biocatalysts (3). For more information see our Hydrogen Sulfide Toxicity Chart.
Sulfide Corrosion
Rusted Pipe caused by Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)
Corrosion of metal and concrete is a major issue associated with the generation and
oxidation of hydrogen sulfide. High amounts of sulfuric acid (results from oxidation of
hydrogen sulfide by Thiobacillus) lowers the pH of wastewater and contributes to the
deterioration of concrete and pipe corrosion (7).
1. Stainless Steel – Even stainless steel is subject to corrosion by bacteria, especially if the
bacteria are incorporated in a slime film attached to the metal. The slime film creates an
anaerobic environment that allows sulfide reducing bacteria (SRB) to thrive and they
contribute to iron sulfide formation, which diminishes the protective oxide film on most
stainless steels
2. Concrete – Concrete is a composite material made of sand, rock, and cement. The
cement that locks the sand and rock into place is vulnerable to the effects of H2S gas and
acid attack (5). The rate of concrete corrosion depends on the permeability of concrete and
the amount of hydrogen sulfide gas that is adsorbed to the moist sewer walls (8). Signs of
prolonged exposure to mild acid attack include rust bleeding, cracking and spalling of the
2
concrete (5).
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we
Hydrogen Sulfide Treatment: will assume that you are ok with that.
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De-Sulph-A-Nator: Stops the sulfide and slows corrosion
OxyPaks XL: Stops the sulfide and slows corrosion by destroying the biofilm
Applications/Solutions
Many wastewater facilities that experience sulfide problems generally use aeration,
chemical oxidizers, such as hydrogen peroxide, and/or odor-masking agents (essential
oils). These only mask the underlying problem and do not actually remove the
sulfur/sulfide molecules from the system, because of the reduction of sulfur into hydrogen
sulfide
(H2S) or oxidation to sulfuric acid (H2SO4) causes the problem, removal of the sulfur
molecule removes the problems of odor and corrosion from the waste stream (2). Below
you will find our hydrogen sulfide treatment options for specific applications:
Collection Systems
High concentrations of H2S can cause coatings and linings in collection systems and
wastewater treatment plants to fail rapidly. This increase in H2S is due in part to:
Longer detention and transport distances which increase the amount of septic

wastewater.
More force mains and less gravity flow, which would promote aeration (1, 10);
Solutions:
De-Sulph-A-Nator: Meter or drip into the lines to bind the sulfide
OxyPaks XL: Toss into the line to disrupt the biofilm
Lift Stations
Hydrogen Sulfide can corrode the cement walls of lift stations. Corrosion makes the walls
soft and brittle and can even result in your lift caving in, which is very expensive to fix.
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Hydrogen Sulfide Corrosion in Lift

Stations
Solutions:
De-Sulph-A-Nator: Meter or drip into the lift station to bind the sulfide and neutralize odors
OxyPaks XL: Toss into the lift station. It’s a good replacement for Ferric Chloride
Wastewater Treatment Plants

Poor settling, excessive sludge production, and corrosion are all results of high
concentrations of H2S. In wastewater treatment plants Hydrogen Sulfide can corrode the
cement walls around the basin and guardrails.
Pitting and Corrosion in a Wastewater Plant due to Hydrogen

Sulfide
Solution:
De-Sulph-A-Nator: Meter or drip into the lift station to bind the sulfide
Grease Traps
Hydrogen Sulfide not only makes your grease traps smell bad, but it also corrodes the
cement walls.
Solution:
Sludge Storage Tanks

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Sulfuric Acid Pitting
Hydrogen Sulfide will make your sludge storage tanks smell bad, but it also corrodes the
cement walls and metals leaving holes/pits resulting in unwanted leakage.
Solution:
Lagoons
Hydrogen Sulfide makes your lagoons smell bad and your customers upset. It’s caused by
the compact sludge forming anaerobic and septic conditions.
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Rotten egg odors and excess sludge in a lagoon
Solutions (Best if used together):
OxyPaks XL: eliminates the rotten egg odor
VitaStim Sludge Reducer: Degrades excess sludge
Anaerobic Digesters
H2S occurs often in anaerobic digesters. if poor methane generating conditions are
present in an anaerobic digester, sulfur-reducing bacteria can out compete methanogens
for food, causing an increase in H2S generation.
Solutions:
BioGas1: Helps anaerobic conditions favor methanogens over sulfur reducers

decreasing H2S and increasing methane.
Wet Well
High concentrations of H2S will cause the cement walls to corrode.
Solutions:
De-Sulph-A-Nator: Spray, meter or drip into the lift station to bind the sulfide
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03/09/2021 Hydrogen Sulfide treatment- H2S Gas in Wastewater - Aquafix

Hydrogen Sulfide Treatment in Wastewater

What is Hydrogen Sulfide?

Sulfate- Seen in sea food processing or fermentation plants

Process of Sulfide Production

H2S Gas Toxicity Concerns 2

Rusted Pipe caused by Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)

Longer detention and transport distances which increase the amount of septic

De-Sulph-A-Nator: Meter or drip into the lines to bind the sulfide

OxyPaks XL: Toss into the line to disrupt the biofilm

Hydrogen Sulfide Corrosion in Lift

Wastewater Treatment Plants

Pitting and Corrosion in a Wastewater Plant due to Hydrogen

Sludge Storage Tanks

Sulfuric Acid Pitting

Rotten egg odors and excess sludge in a lagoon

Solutions (Best if used together):

OxyPaks XL: eliminates the rotten egg odor

VitaStim Sludge Reducer: Degrades excess sludge

BioGas1: Helps anaerobic conditions favor methanogens over sulfur reducers

¿Está interesado en recibir nuestros seminarios de web en

Haga click aqui para llenar forma de interés

Want More Wastewater Info?

Wastewater Treatment Categories

Terms and Conditions

View past webinar archive

You might also like