Influence of ventilation in H2S exposure and emissions from a gravity sewer

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of natural ventilation and intermittent pumping events in hydrogen sulfide and methane dynamics, in terms of system operation and risk of gas exposure. Work was conducted in a full scale gravity sewer downstream of pumping stations, in Portugal. Diff...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Water science and technology 2020-05, Vol.81 (10), p.2043-2056
Main Authors: Matos, Rita Ventura, Ferreira, Filipa, Matos, José Saldanha
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air flow
Case studies
Climate change
Concrete
Corrosion potential
Exposure
Gas detectors
Gravity
Gravity sewers
Headspace
Health risk assessment
Humidity
Hydrogen sulfide
Hydrogen sulphide
Manhole covers
Manholes
Occupational health
Personal protective equipment
Pipes
Pumping
Pumping stations
Removal
Sulphides
Ventilation
Workers
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Summary:This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of natural ventilation and intermittent pumping events in hydrogen sulfide and methane dynamics, in terms of system operation and risk of gas exposure. Work was conducted in a full scale gravity sewer downstream of pumping stations, in Portugal. Different ventilation rates and locations were assessed, as well as H2S removal rates and potential exposure risk, through the opening of distinct manhole covers. Increased ventilation, resulting from opening of one manhole cover, saw a 38% increase in average pipe air velocity peaks, doubling the estimated rate of air turnovers per day, accompanied by an increase of nearly 20% in H2S average removal rate. Simultaneous opening of two manhole covers induced similar airflow rates through the vent stack, but different rates throughout the pipe. H2S removal rates were also found to differ, according to location of open manholes, but also initial H2S headspace concentration. Under more unfavourable conditions, natural ventilation did not suffice in attaining recommended safety concentrations, regardless of number and location of open manhole covers. H2S concentrations above defined thresholds were verified for all studied setups. Headspace oxygen concentrations below an 18.5% asphyxiation threshold also occasionally occurred, even at manholes immediately downstream of ventilation point.
ISSN:0273-1223
1996-9732
DOI:10.2166/wst.2020.253