Ecolo Odor Control Systems Worldwide

The next section of this OMOEE Bulletin is a list of “a few of the available Technologies for Odor Abatement” (pp.5-7), itemized as follows:

         1.   Condensation
         2.   Scrubbers
         3.   Activated Carbon Adsorption
         4.   Thermal and Catalytic Incineration
         5.   Biofiltration
         6.   Odor Modification/Masking
         7.   Dilution

Why does Ecolo’s essential oils technology not appear in this current Ontario government list? Or on any other recent list (see e.g., Metro Works 1993 and 1996, NRC 1979)?

Is it possible that many environmental engineers and scientists think odor neutralization using essential oils in the same way that many North American physicians think of herbal remedies- as “alternative medicine?’ That, by comparison, the “conventional medicine” of thermal incineration and scrubbing seems to these engineers and scientists sophisticated, precise, and predictable. That there is more comfort to be taken in recommending a “higher technology” that would be inaccessible to their waste operator clients.

Our first point, then, is to propose that every reader now add odor neutralization using essential oils to the “official” lists of odor control technologies. Plant-based odor neutralization, as Ecolo and its customers know this technology, is precise, controllable, intelligible in terms of conventional chemistry, safe for both the environment and people, and cost-effective.

How do essential oils neutralize odors? The basic idea is straightforward. Plant oils contacting odorous molecules, under controlled conditions, react with them to accelerate natural organic decay processes to produce odorless organic decay and stable elements and compounds (i.e., carbon dioxide, water, nitrogen, and sulphur). In his recent paper :Exhaust Odor Neutralization” presented to ASHRAE’s Toronto Seminar David Hill (1995), elaborates the theory of “catalytic oxidation.” That’s the name Mr. Hill gives to this method of odor control. Mr. Hill’s paper, which also contains results of controlled tests of various products on various odorous gases, has become Ecolo’s standard theory reference.

The results of odor neutralization are measurable. In addition to Mr. Hill’s work, in-house scientists at several large industrial customers in various markets have analysed Ecolo’s products and conducted rigorous pre-and post-tests in the lab and in the field. Such tests have satisfied these customers on both effectiveness and health and safety. While plant-based odor neutralizers are generally safer and friendlier to the environment, independent tests of our products, together with years of use, confirm that they are completely safe for people.

Ecolo’s airSolution atomizing systems control waste odors outdoors at landfill sites including the United Kingdom’s largest site and sewage treatment plants including the world’s largest plant in Auckland, New Zealand. Ecolo’s indoor systems serve a long list of transfer stations and MURFs around the world.

We will conclude with brief mentions of two Canadian indoor Ecolo systems. The first is at Pebblestone Multi-Services’ 30,000 sf transfer station in Whitby, Ontario. Environmental Manager Bradley Cochrane believes that when you are in the waste management business it is important to go beyond the requirements of your OMOEE Certificate of Approval. Accordingly, Pebblestone installed an Ecolo Odor Control System with a view to keeping surrounding residents and the community happy. The transfer station has not received an odor complaint since the system was installed in August 1994.

The second Canadian Ecolo system of note is at the Ontario Material Recovery Centre’s 200 tpd MURF, a 50,000 sf private sector facility which has been operating in west Toronto for three years. In the summer of 1995, during OMR’s second year of operation, Ecolo installed an Ecolo Pump Spray system with 60 atomizing nozzles suspended in a grid about 30 feet above the floor. Gerald Patt, OMR’s operations Manager, calls it “an incredible system that has made a 200% improvement in their neighbours’ perception of OMR.” Thanks to Ecolo’s system odor complaints from neighbours dropped from “so many complaints that we couldn’t handle them all” to “the odd complaint here and there.” When OMR reduced the spraying frequency and diluted the airSolution formula “complaints started pouring in again.” After Ecolo returned the system to its original settings the complaints again dropped off. As we write, everyone is happy- “Neighbours are happy, we are happy and Ecolo technicians are there when we need them and they are happy.