Release of hydrogen sulfide in a sewer system under intermittent flow conditions: the Ericeira case study, in Portugal

The presence and fate of hydrogen sulfide in wastewater systems were studied in two stretches of an intercepting sewer system located in a coastal village, in Portugal. A range of hydraulic parameters were obtained and liquid and gas phase measurements were carried out, both continuously and through intensive sampling campaigns. Upstream, where flow rates were relatively low, dissolved sulfide concentrations around 12 mg S L1 and hydrogen sulfide gas concentrations above 250 ppm were observed, along with limited corrosion damage. It is believed this is due to the low relative humidity detected along the atmosphere of the studied sewer system. Downstream, gas concentrations were always below 40 ppm. Despite that, high signs of corrosion were detected,
particularly in manholes with drop structures. It is thought that condensation of spray produced by the fall is the main cause of the phenomenon. Another relevant observation was the rapid decline in dissolved sulfide contents along gravity trunk sewers following the discharge of rising mains, with loss rates as high as 40 mg S L1 h1. Air-flow velocities corresponded to 15–50% of wastewater
flows, an observation which agrees with other authors’ publications addressing relatively small pipes
and moderate water flows.