Odour measuring techniques

Abstract

This article summarises some aspects of investigations carried out into methods available to assess the impact of odours on people living adjacent to large sewage treatment works.The problems of using mathematical modelling techniques in assessing the impact of odours, in particular relatively low level but socially unacceptable odours, are discussed.The conclusion then reached is that the techniques are not sufficiently advanced to yield reliable results.

An analysis of error propagation in AERMOD lateral dispersion using Round Hill II and Uttenweiller experiments in reduced averaging times

“…The hypothesis that the odorant intensity felt by the judges was proportional to the concentration of odors was assumed. However, it is known that the relationship between odor intensity and odor concentration is not linear [30]. Better agreements are found by a power law or logarithm expressions.…”

Gas-Phase Analysis of Trimethylamine, Propionic and Butyric Acids, and Sulfur Compounds Using Solid-Phase Microextraction

“…Historically, the most common approach to odor measurement is olfactometry, or the use of trained human panels, to determine the intensity and character of an air sample . Although olfactometric methods reflect actual human response to odors, they do not provide information on the chemical components of a gas mixture, and there are large variations in results between laboratories. − The electronic nose is an alternate approach that has been developed. These devices can identify simple or complex gas mixtures using an array of electronic chemical sensors , and have been used to detect odorous chemicals, especially amines, volatile fatty acids, and sulfurs, from food, cattle, pig and chicken slurries, and wastewater. − However, this technology is still developing.…”