Solerox VTX

Optimised programmes for hydrogen sulphide control in utility companies

Hydrogen sulphide can create unpleasant odours, and relatively low levels of it in sewage liquids can result in lethal levels being liberated to sewer air, which poses severe risks to maintenance personnel. Furthermore, some bacteria have metabolic systems that use hydrogen sulphide and produce sulphuric acid, which can severely corrode infrastructure and reduce its life to as short as five years. If hydrogen sulphide, chlorinated solvents, pesticides and other recalcitrant chemicals enter watercourses untreated, they can have detrimental environmental consequences.

The benign catalyst VTX is used in a controlled process with a reagent to oxidise hydrogen sulphide and other recalcitrant organic compounds, thus removing safety issues, unpleasant odours and corrosion problems in minutes.

Why use VTX?

  • Immediately controls hydrogen sulphide emissions to air (see graph)
  • Helps to provides a safe downhole working environment by removing hydrogen sulphide to undetectable levels in minutes
  • Low-cost odour control
  • Prolongs infrastructure life
  • VTX is benign and has no special handling requirements
  • US Environmental Protection Agency approved for use in the environment
  • With the correct amount of oxidant, the target compounds and VTX catalyst are consumed to leave only benign products
  • Faster and more effective than alternative processes
  • Can eliminate the need for chemical scrubbers
  • Cost-effective
    • Simple design
    • Easily applied to existing wastewater treatment systems
    • No special construction or power requirements
  • Treats a range of chemicals, including hydrogen sulphide, chlorinated solvents, pesticides, phenols, BTEX and MtBE, and other recalcitrant chemicals

A proven process

The US Environmental Protection Agency has approved VTX for use in the environment under the Toxic Substances Control Act (1976). US water companies have since used it widely.

For example, a Northern California wastewater treatment plant eliminated a serious hydrogen sulphide problem using VTX. Although hydrogen sulphide is pungent in low concentrations, it paralyses the olfactory nerve at levels above 100 ppm to render workers oblivious to the danger.

The wastewater had hydrogen sulphide levels of 7–10 ppm, which produced concentrations in the sewer air averaging 102 ppm and peaking at 250 ppm. The objective of VTX treatment was to reduce the hydrogen sulphide concentration in the air to an acceptable level (less than 10 ppm).

VTX treatment reduced the hydrogen sulphide concentration in the air to less than 1 ppm with 3 minutes contact time.