Wastewater System Ventilation – A Friend or Adversary?

Abstract

Wastewater systems and their designs have been documented for thousands of years. However, little written evidence exists of the potential unpleasant odours that can be associated with drainage systems until the mid-nineteenth century. This paper presents a holistic overview of historic ventilation systems and wastewater network designs. Modelling the ventilation and potential fugitive emissions from urban drainage systems is a significant challenge. Yet using a revised approach, in association with calibrated and verified case study data, reliable holistic modelling may be achieved. Modern fugitive emissions are discussed and opportunities are further examined with the ventilation and gas in headspace model. This key predictive information may potentially extend asset life and therefore enable cost benefit analysis if the correct corrosion abatements solutions are applied.