NATIONAL OPERATIONS CONFERENCE

THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING

Kevyn Lockyer

National Operations Conference

The importance of training to keep systems functioning and to allow for future optimisation and saving operating costs.

(A view from odour control facilities)

Setting the scene

Training and education key to the successful, long term operation of the odour control facility.

In addition, the involvement of all stakeholders in support of the facility operation is critical with respect

to managing expectations.

Training

Training Education

Guidance Teaching

Tutoring

Instruction

Tuition

Training

Investment in the future

Training - who

Facility managersOperators

Stakeholders

Training - why

Optimise performance

Future optimisation

Save costs

Management of physiological and emotional aspects to response to air

pollution

Education in maintenance – Plant Healthcare

Monitor the actual plant performance

Record the mechanical condition of the plant

Undertake a thorough internal inspection Calibrate and re-instate any dosing and monitoring controls

Report on the plant with upgrade recommendations and maintenance requirements

Cost implications

Expenses will escalate to a minimum of 15 times the early intervention costs

$100 bearing

The re-wind costs can be as high as $10,000

Training in action

8.45am – 10.00amSession 1 – Odour, Odour Measurement & Regulation

– Odour and Odorous compounds– Odour measurement– Regulation

Training in action

10.00am – 11.00amSession 2 – Dispersion modelling

– Dispersion models available, pros and cons of each– How odour contour maps are generated, i.e. how to

calculate dispersion and generation from a specific location.

– Regulators viewpoint

Training in action

11.15am – 12noonSession 3 – Wastewater

– Network Odour– Process Units and factors effecting odour emissions– Design to minimise odour emission

Training in action

1.00pm – 2.30pmSession 4 – Biosolids

– Compounds present & likely odour emissions – Main problem compounds – Odorous Compound formation process– Anaerobic Sludge Digestion, parameters that effect

biosolids cake odour and possible surrogates for measurement of biosolids cake odour

– Sludge Handling– Wastewater processes and effect on biosolids cake

Training in action

2.45pm – 4.15pmSession 5 – Gas treatment

– Covers, capture rates and extraction systems– Summary of available odour control technologies

Education - Stakeholders

Dispersion modelling results for Case-1(No remedial action taken)

Education - Stakeholders

Dispersion Modelling results for Case-2(Removal of the emissions from the filter exhaust)

Education - Stakeholders

Dispersion Modelling results for Case 3,with the removal of the emissions from the filterexhaust and from the interceptor tanks

Education - Stakeholders

First, the facility management we reengaged to show that they did have an issue that they needed to deal with but not with the relatively expensive solution they expected.

Second, the plant operators were trained to identify operating scenarios that would lead to fugitive odour emissions from site.

Third, other stakeholders and the local community were provided with information and assurances that the odour issues were being dealt with and that there were other possible causes that would need to be investigated (even a neighbour’s BBQ!).

Education - Stakeholders

By proving that the complaints about odour emissions from the site were unfounded, the authorities immediately relaxed their view on the company, who in turn installed a relatively minor process enhancement costing ₤4,000 as opposedto their proposed ₤40,000 fire-fighting outlay. In addition, community relationships improved and the company was able to focus on their business.

Training - Conclusion

As highlighted above, training and education key to the successful, long term operation of the odour control facility. This includes the involvement of all stakeholders in support of the facility operation is critical with respect the managing expectation