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Basic Chemicals

Sodium Chlorite
Hydrogen Sulfide Control in Wastewater
Collection Systems
Introduction mechanism for sulfide formation. In the absence
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a dense, colorless, of dissolved oxygen (DO) and in the presence of
strongly odorous toxic gas that corrodes soluble Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD),
infrastructures and impairs the performance of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans (SRB) and other
wastewater treatment operations. sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB’s) convert the
sulfate ion to sulfide.
Hydrogen sulfide is naturally converted to
sulfuric acid, which is corrosive towards steel
Anaerobic
and concrete. Control of H2S will result in Microorganisms
2-
increased life and lower maintenance cost for SO4 + Organic matter (no D.O) H2S + CO2
facilities and piping. In addition, worker safety is
of concern as hydrogen sulfide is extremely toxic
at levels above 500 ppm, which can be reached Hydrogen sulfide formation in wastewater
in confined spaces. systems occurs primarily in the gelatinous slime
layer that accumulates on pipe walls and in the
A number of sulfide control strategies are sludge blankets of clarifiers and other solids
available depending on the system design and processing units. The rate of sulfide production
treatment goal. is dependent upon the concentrations of sulfate
ions, organic matter, and dissolved oxygen, as
Application Description well as other factors such as pH, temperature,
Sulfide exists in wastewater in three forms; retention time, stream velocity, and surface
hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S), non-volatile ionic area.
species hydrogen sulfide (HS-) and sulfide (S2-).
The ratio of each of the three species H 2S, HS- Treatment Alternatives
and S2- is dependent on the pH. At pH 6, 90% There are two basic ways to control hydrogen
of the sulfide will be present as H2S, and the sulfide:
higher the H2S concentration the greater the  Prevent sulfide formation
tendency for it to volatilize. Conversely, at pH  Remove the sulfide after its formed
10, 100% of the sulfide will be present as S2-.
Preventing Sulfide Formation
Hydrogen sulfide occurs naturally through the Inhibiting bacterial action or moderating the
anaerobic decay of organic matter and is variables affecting hydrogen sulfide generation
recognized by its characteristic rotten egg odor. is often the basis for controlling hydrogen sulfide
In typical domestic wastewater, microbial in wastewater treatment systems. Treatment
reduction of the sulfate ion is the dominant options include the following chemicals.
642-402 Sodium Chlorite 08/2018

Important: The information presented herein, while not guaranteed, was prepared by
technical personnel and is true and accurate to the best of our knowledge. NO WARRANTY
OF MERCHANTABILITY OR OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR WARRANTY
OR GUARANTY OF ANY OTHER KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IS MADE REGARDING
PERFORMANCE, SAFETY, SUITABILITY, STABILITY OR OTHERWISE. This information is
not intended to be all-inclusive as to the manner and conditions of use, handling, storage,
disposal and other factors that may involve other or additional legal, environmental, safety
14555 Dallas Parkway, Suite 400 or performance considerations, and Occidental Chemical Corporation assumes no liability
Dallas, TX 75254 whatsoever for the use of or reliance upon this information. While our technical personnel
800-752-5151 will be happy to respond to questions, safe handling and use of the product remains the
responsibility of the customer. No suggestions for use are intended as, and nothing herein
shall be construed as, a recommendation to infringe any existing patents or to violate any
Federal, State, local or foreign laws.
 ®

Basic Chemicals
 Hydrogen peroxide
 Chlorine dioxide  Sodium or calcium nitrate
 Nitrate  Iron salts

Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) is applied at or near Sodium chlorite (NaClO2) is applied at or near
the source of hydrogen sulfide. Chlorine the source of hydrogen sulfide. It is also applied
dioxide, when fed at doses higher than the in wastewater systems where a retention time of
minimum required to destroy hydrogen sulfide greater than 3 hours is encountered, such as
will remove the biofilm layer, which contains the remote sites for long duration control. Sodium
bacteria creating the sulfide. Chlorine dioxide chlorite selectively oxidizes sulfide and related
reacts more rapidly and completely than other organic odors. Unlike hypochlorite, sodium
available oxidizers and does not form colloidal chlorite does not react with ammonia, and does
sulfur. not form chlorinated organics.

Sodium nitrate (NaNO3) is applied to retard 2H2S + NaClO2  2S0 + 2H2O + NaCl
septicity and promote bio-oxidation of organic
odors in systems with a retention time greater Typical field applications require a minimum of 3
than four hours. Sodium nitrate is a biological mg/L of sodium chlorite per 1 mg/L of sulfide.
approach to controlling odors in wastewater,
providing naturally occurring facultative Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is applied to the
anaerobic denitrifying bacteria with a source of wastewater system usually where there is a
bound oxygen, which is metabolized retention time of less than 5 hours and at least
preferentially over other sources of oxygen like 30 minutes prior to the point where the hydrogen
sulfate. This results in the production of nitrogen sulfide is released. Hydrogen peroxide is a
gas via intermediates like nitrite (NO2-), nitric stronger oxidant than either chlorine or
oxide (NO), nitrous oxide (N2O) and other potassium permanganate. Hydrogen peroxide
metabolic byproducts rather than sulfide. will oxidize the hydrogen sulfide present and
Anaerobic promote bio-oxidation of organic odors.
BOD + NO3- Microorganisms N2 + CO2 + Biomass Hydrogen peroxide decomposes into oxygen
(no D.O) and water, environmentally harmless
Typical field applications require a minimum of byproducts.
1.5 pounds of nitrogen-oxygen (N-O) per pound
of BOD. H2S + H2O2  S0 + 2H2O (pH < 8.5)

Removing Sulfide After its Formation H2S + 4H2O2  SO42- + 2H2O (pH > 8.5)
Removing the sulfide after it has been formed
can be achieved using a variety of chemicals Typical field applications require 1 to 3 mg/L
either alone or in combination. The treatment hydrogen peroxide per 1 mg/L sulfide. The
mechanism generally employed is oxidation of reaction with sulfide is rapid with 90% of the
the hydrogen sulfide to either sulfur or the hydrogen peroxide typically consumed within 10
sulfate ion. In some cases, the chemical to 15 minutes.
treatment program also promotes bio-oxidation
of organic odors. Common treatment options Nitrate (NO3) may also be effective for the
include: removal of existing sulfide in the presence of
bacteria that can utilize the nitrate for the
 Sodium chlorite oxidation of sulfide to sulfur or sulfate.
642-402 Sodium Chlorite 08/2018

Important: The information presented herein, while not guaranteed, was prepared by
technical personnel and is true and accurate to the best of our knowledge. NO WARRANTY
OF MERCHANTABILITY OR OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR WARRANTY
OR GUARANTY OF ANY OTHER KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IS MADE REGARDING
PERFORMANCE, SAFETY, SUITABILITY, STABILITY OR OTHERWISE. This information is
not intended to be all-inclusive as to the manner and conditions of use, handling, storage,
disposal and other factors that may involve other or additional legal, environmental, safety
14555 Dallas Parkway, Suite 400 or performance considerations, and Occidental Chemical Corporation assumes no liability
Dallas, TX 75254 whatsoever for the use of or reliance upon this information. While our technical personnel
800-752-5151 will be happy to respond to questions, safe handling and use of the product remains the
responsibility of the customer. No suggestions for use are intended as, and nothing herein
shall be construed as, a recommendation to infringe any existing patents or to violate any
Federal, State, local or foreign laws.
 ®

Basic Chemicals
Examples of such bacteria include Thiabacillus Further Information
denitrificans, Thiomicrospira denitrificans and For more information:
Thiosphera pantotropha1. Bacteria able to OxyChem
utilize nitrate for the bio-oxidation of sulfide are Technical Services Department
naturally present in sewage systems. PO Box 12283
Wichita, KS 67277
Bio-Oxidation
1-800-733-1165 option #1
(Bacteria)
8NO3- + 5H2S (no D.O) 5SO42- + 4N2 [Link]

References
Typical field applications require 3-10mg/L of N- 1. Bentzen, G., et. al., “Controlled Dosing of
O per 1 mg/L of sulfide. Nitrate For Prevention of H2S in a Sewer
Network and The Effects On The
Iron Salts are applied to wastewater systems Subsequent Treatment Processes”, Wat.
for long-duration control. Both ferrous and ferric Sci. Tech., Vol. 31, No. 7, pp 293-302,
salts react with dissolved sulfide to form metal (1995).
sulfide precipitates that are removed at the
treatment plant.

Ferrous Salts: Fe2+ + HS-  FeS + H+

Ferric Salts: 2Fe3+ + 3HS-  Fe2S3 + 3H+

Typical field applications require 3-5 mg/L as Fe

642-402 Sodium Chlorite 08/2018

Important: The information presented herein, while not guaranteed, was prepared by
technical personnel and is true and accurate to the best of our knowledge. NO WARRANTY
OF MERCHANTABILITY OR OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR WARRANTY
OR GUARANTY OF ANY OTHER KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IS MADE REGARDING
PERFORMANCE, SAFETY, SUITABILITY, STABILITY OR OTHERWISE. This information is
not intended to be all-inclusive as to the manner and conditions of use, handling, storage,
disposal and other factors that may involve other or additional legal, environmental, safety
14555 Dallas Parkway, Suite 400 or performance considerations, and Occidental Chemical Corporation assumes no liability
Dallas, TX 75254 whatsoever for the use of or reliance upon this information. While our technical personnel
800-752-5151 will be happy to respond to questions, safe handling and use of the product remains the
responsibility of the customer. No suggestions for use are intended as, and nothing herein
shall be construed as, a recommendation to infringe any existing patents or to violate any
Federal, State, local or foreign laws.