Real Time, Automatic and Remote-activated Sampling System for industrial odor emissions compliant with the European Standard EN 13725

Project Information

ODORPREP

Grant agreement ID: 662362

DOI

10.3030/662362

Project closed

EC signature date 13 February 2015

Start date 1 January 2015

End date 30 April 2015

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Climate action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

LAB SERVICE ANALYTICA SRL
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ODORPREP (Real Time, Automatic and Remote-activated Sampling System for industrial odor emissions compliant with the European Standard EN 13725)

Reporting period: 2015-01-01 to 2015-04-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Odour samples composition varies in time and strongly depends on meteorological conditions and atmosphere dispersion, being very difficult to obtain accurate samples in time before the emission is dispersed. Furthermore, the time delay from detection to sampling also results in the analysis of non-representative samples and has no legal validity for odour control enforcement.
LabService has developed and patented a new system for odour monitoring capable to solve the delay problems of current odour sampling techniques (man-operated), so the data can be used in mandatory control measures being enforced. This technology, with trademark granted as ODORPREP, will be the first real time automatic and remote sampling system for odour emissions designed according to the Standard EN 13725. Once the odour emission takes place and it is detected, either by the site operator or through citizens’ complaints, ODORPREP is remotely activated in real time via a simple SMS message or telephone call, avoiding the existing delays that cause changes in air composition from the moment of detection to the time of sampling. The whole system includes the detection, sampling, sample maintenance and transportation, laboratory analysis and report.
The two main targeted groups for using ODORPREP will be industrial companies, responsible for controlling its odour emissions, and the competent authorities in charge of enforcing the odour legislation. There are a total of about 2 million manufacturing enterprises in Europe responsible for air pollution (over 3.9 million installations in the world) which are potential sources of odour emissions. In Europe, the implementation of odour regulations resulted in the creation of the standard EN13725, which unifies the need of several European countries in one single norm for odour assessment. According to EU thematic strategy on air pollution, odorous compounds emissions need to be further reduced by 2020 (e.g. Ammonia by 27% and volatile organic compounds by 51%). The initial targeted industrial sectors will be oil refining, chemistry industry, livestock production, and digestion plants.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the last 4 months, the technical and commercial staff of LabService has worked hard to determine the best route for the future exploitation of ODORPREP. The principal objectives of this feasibility study have been to define the best geographical commercialization and marketing strategy, identifying the current legislation, the regulatory bodies and the end-users in target countries. We have analysed the most likely stakeholder’s to be involved and we have assessed the potential profit for LabService. Finally, we have made a deep analysis of the technical adjustments and improvements necessary for the industrial scaling according to our commercial objectives.
LabService, in collaboration with the Regional Environmental Agency of Puglia (ARPA Plugia), has carried out an experimental activity, based on the application of a methodology to evaluate the odour annoyance perceived by residents living in Taranto. LabService activities have been specially focused on the development of the sampling system (with the existing prototypes) and its integration with the triggering system, which consists of a telephonic system that systematizes the population complaints. The preliminary results of the ODORPREP application in the area of Taranto have permitted, for the first time, to manage the population complaints in a systematic way, in order to gain information related to the entity and distribution of odour phenomenon.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

During the feasibility study we have concluded to continue with ODORPREP project as it has been proven to be a competitive and unique solution for the effective control of odour emissions. After studying the economic viability of ODORPREP, and considering the commercial strategy described in our business plan, the accumulated revenues for LabService have been estimated to be over 5M€ by 2022 (considering a 30% profit margin), and the total turnover from the whole ODORPREP system is estimated at 14.2M€ (annual turnover would be 6.48M€ by 2022).

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