Hydrocarbons emissions from a municipal wastewater treatment pilot plant in Vienna

Hydrocarbons emissions were measured from an aeration tank of a municipal wastewater treatment pilot plant. The collected off-gas samples were characterised for C-2-C-7 hydrocarbons using GC-FID analytical technique while the total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) were measured using a continuous hydrocarbon gas analyser. Approximately, the estimated emission rates for 1 m(3) of wastewater from this aeration tank were 5 mgC of C-2-C-7 hydrocarbons, and an average of 7 gC of TVOC. With exception to toluene, all other measured hydrocarbons are emitted less than 1 mgC day(-1). The results support the view that a significant reduction in annual emissions of hydrocarbons from wastewater treatment plants in Vienna has taken place.