Combat Smell from Waste Tanks With the Following Clever Methods
Whether you are on a train, vehicle or ship, waste tanks provide so much convenience and comfort on a long journey. At least, you don't have to worry about the discomfort that comes with holding nature calls throughout the journey. Nevertheless, there is one thing that can ruin the whole trip and leave you gasping for fresh air: bad odour! Note that the waste generated by the human metabolism contains numerous bacteria whose activity generates pungent, smelly gases. To avoid this problem, here are some of the clever ways of combating the smell emanating from waste tanks:
Bioactive Treatment
Bioactive treatment, also referred to as biologic treatments, centre on the use of bacteria to combat the activities of the active microorganisms that thrive in the waste material. These bacteria break down the waste in the holding tank, reproduce and multiply such that they crowd out the anaerobic bacteria responsible for the smelly gases emanating from the tank. Eventually, the bacteria used in bioactive treatment outlive the notorious anaerobic bacteria, preventing any foul smell. This method is friendly to the environment and cost effective in the end because the beneficial bacteria used for treatment propagate over time. Furthermore, bioactive treatment leads to the emulsification or breakdown of the sewage completely and other waste like paper.
Chemical Treatment
Chemical treatment is another common method of dealing with the smell in waste tanks. The chemicals kill the anaerobic bacteria inhabiting the waste, preventing their metabolic activities that lead to foul smell. Chemicals are very effective at keeping the smell at bay, but some of them are not friendly to the environment. There are other hazards involved when using chemicals such as the risk of accidental ingestion, food or water contamination and corrosion of the nearby items. It is therefore imperative to put up warning signs and store the chemicals safely to avoid accidents when you are travelling.
When buying, go for chemicals that contain quaternary, as it is friendlier to the environment.
Treatment Using Nitrates
Ideally, the anaerobic bacteria rely on oxygen to break down the materials in the waste tank. Since oxygen is hard to come by inside those tanks, the bacteria resort to sulphates in the waste, an event that produces stinky hydrogen sulphide gas. By introducing nitrates in the equation, you provide nutrients for the bacteria, which in turn acts as an alternative to oxygen. This leads the production of nitrogen gas, which is odourless. This method is friendly to the environment, and it also speeds up the breakdown of the waste in the tank.