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Odor and emission monitoring for waste sites

Smart solutions for proactive and active environmental risk management

Your facilities for processing municipal and industrial waste are vital for environmental protection, converting waste into reusable resources and ensuring the safe disposal of non-recyclable materials. However, you face complex challenges with air quality, both inside and outside your facilities, impacting employee safety and reducing nuisances for surrounding communities.

At Ellona, we assist you in addressing these challenges with our advanced monitoring technology. Our real-time detection systems precisely monitor both indoor and outdoor air quality, swiftly identifying gas emissions, odors, and particulates. This proactive detection enables early warnings and timely, precise r

emediation actions, such as activating misting systems or implementing other corrective measures.

This approach ensures a healthier and safer work environment for your employees while minimizing the impact of your operations on nearby areas. By anticipating pollutant-related risks and applying effective solutions, you enhance your facility’s performance, safeguard your employees’ health, and protect your infrastructure. Additionally, our solutions support compliance with stringent environmental regulations, reducing the risk of penalties and strengthening your relationships with local authorities.

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A one-of-a-kind approach for your operations

Industries, mesures de bruit, H2S, unités d'odeurs, Ellona
01

Real-time multi-variate analysis.

Thanks to our environmental intelligence platform, Ellona transforms raw data into actionable insights with unmatched precision. By relying on data updated every 10 seconds, we continuously analyze a multitude of variables. Our specialty lies in our ability to handle multi-variate data, enabling a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the phenomena analyzed, making the actions taken more effective and impactful for businesses and communities.

Identification Kérosène et Naphte Navires Ellona
02

Identification and triangulation of footprints and sources.

Ellona’s artificial intelligence algorithms and databases go beyond mere quantification. We excel in the precise identification of footprints and sources, whether surface-level or channelized. Data triangulation is at the core of our approach, allowing us to cross-reference information and accurately locate sources.

Ville, usine, fumée, cercles verts et orange, vent 50 km
03

Dynamic emission modeling.

Ellona provides advanced dispersion software that integrates real-time meteorological data. This dynamic model simulates and visualizes the impact of a site’s emissions on its immediate environment, offering tailored preventive and corrective solutions.

Détection de fuites de kérosène et d'huile à l'aéroport
04

Smart alerts and customized notifications.

Our platform allows you to set up different types of real-time alerts tailored to each user’s specific needs. Additionally, the automatic generation of smart reports ensures optimal responsiveness to any critical situation.

Usine de traitement des eaux usées avec capteurs d'odeurs
05

Automatic triggering of remediation systems.

This feature allows for the automation of triggering third-party systems (such as sampling, misting, ventilation, etc.) through precise management of ON/OFF devices and 4-20 mA inputs, or via the API. This automation ensures a rapid and appropriate response in the event of a detected incident.

Construction, grue, bruit, perception résidentielle, niveau sonore
06

Integration of human perceptions via QR codes.

Ellona enhances its analyses by integrating human perceptions collected via QR codes. These subjective data are then correlated in real-time with the technical data collected by our systems, providing a comprehensive and nuanced view of the situations for even more precise interventions.

Examples of KPIs for the industrial and household waste treatment sector

40%

reduction of CO₂ emissions

through real-time remediation actions triggered by the detection of excessive emissions.

35%

reduction of PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 levels

by using real-time monitoring to identify pollution spikes and trigger immediate corrective actions.

30%

reduction of average noise levels in dB(A)

by activating real-time noise reduction strategies based on continuous monitoring data.

45%

reduction of NOx and SOx emissions

through immediate interventions triggered by real-time detection of high levels of these pollutants.

50%

reduction of reported odor incidents

by using real-time detection systems to quickly identify odor sources and activate appropriate control measures.

35%

improvement of energy efficiency in waste management systems

by using real-time monitoring data to optimize energy operations in response to detected emissions.

100%

compliance with environmental regulations

through real-time detection of threshold exceedances and immediate activation of corrective measures.

60%

reduction of methane (CH₄) emissions

through real-time remediation actions triggered by continuous monitoring of organic waste decomposition processes.

95%

Increased satisfaction among employees and surrounding communities

by using real-time alerts to anticipate and quickly resolve environmental issues related to atmospheric emissions.

40%

reduction in fuel consumption of service vehicles

by optimizing routes and operations in real-time based on atmospheric emission monitoring data.

Multiple emission sources we address

The municipal and industrial waste management sector faces numerous sources of emissions and nuisances, both within facilities and at their periphery. These issues extend beyond air pollution, significantly affecting the quality of life for neighboring communities and impacting the health and safety of workers. Key categories include:

  1. Emissions from waste treatment processes: These emissions encompass greenhouse gases (GHGs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other hazardous pollutants generated during incineration, composting, or biological waste treatment. Such processes can also produce intense, persistent odors, which can be a major nuisance to surrounding communities.
  2. Emissions from support and maintenance equipment: Equipment such as incinerators, boilers, leachate treatment systems, and cooling and compression units not only release atmospheric pollutants but can also cause noise and vibrations, disrupting both workers and nearby residents.
  3. Pollution from fixed infrastructure: Systems for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), as well as energy generators, contribute to noise and vibrations. These essential components for continuous facility operation can negatively affect the quality of life around waste management sites.
  4. Emissions and nuisances from vehicle traffic and logistics: The transportation of waste to treatment facilities, along with the movement of service vehicles and mobile equipment, results in exhaust emissions and significant noise. The constant traffic of trucks can lead to road safety concerns and increased soil pollution around the sites.

These various sources of emissions and nuisances have a profound impact on the environment, public health, and the quality of life for nearby communities. Additionally, indoor air quality within treatment sites—such as sorting centers and waste processing areas—remains a critical concern for employee safety and well-being.

In this challenging context, Ellona’s advanced environmental monitoring systems play a crucial role. Our solutions provide precise, real-time monitoring of particles, gases, odors, noise, and vibrations, empowering site managers to effectively manage and mitigate these issues.

They trust us: see our deployments for SYCTOM, a landfill in France and a composting site in the Drôme region.

Further reading: read our articles on real-time dispersion and multivariate analysis of odors and gases.

Complete guide: find all the methods for measuring and locating odors in our odor monitoring guide.

The main intervention centers and units:

Valorisation énergétique

Energy Recovery Units

Stockage ultime des déchets

Ultimate Waste Storage Centers

Valorisation organique des déchets

Organic Recovery Units

Centre de tri des déchets

Sorting Centers

Dépollution, démantelement

Dismantling and Decontamination Sites

Where are our actions making an impact?

Each industry sector has its specificities.

Discover, through this diagram, how our various systems can help you ensure better safety and a healthier environment for your employees, operators, and surrounding communities.

Unité de valorisation energétique
Centre de tri des déchets
Centre de stockage des déchets ultimes

Ellona designs tailored products for the waste treatment sector.

Capteur WT1 Lite
Station WT1 Pro d'Ellona
Capteur POD2
Capteur Dustkair

Ellona designs specialized products for the waste treatment sector, delivering advanced solutions for real-time monitoring tailored to the industry’s specific challenges.

The WT1 Pro is engineered for precise monitoring of both surface and ducted emissions in industrial environments, offering accurate identification and quantification of odors in compliance with EN 13725 and ASTM 679 standards. For less demanding areas, the WT1 Lite provides a cost-effective solution for efficient monitoring at site peripheries.

For indoor environments such as offices and reception areas, the POD2 ensures accurate emission tracking. The DUSTKAIR, a portable device, is designed for dusty settings like sorting cabins, offering flexible and precise particle monitoring.

Our suite of tools—including the WT1 Pro, WT1 Lite, POD2, DUSTKAIR, and the EllonaSoft platform—provides comprehensive monitoring of pollution sources across energy recovery units, storage centers, sorting facilities, and organic recovery centers.

The main parameters we monitor in your sector:

Gaz

Gases

E.g.: NOₓ, SO₂, CO, CO₂, VOCs, N₂O, NH₃, CH₄, H₂S…

odeur

Odors

Detection, intensity, identification of signatures and sources

particules

Particles

PM10, PM2.5, PM1

Our use cases in your sector

Monitoring of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) emissions in a Waste Storage Facility – France

Advanced odor monitoring at an Organic Recovery Center (ORC) in Drôme, France

Advanced odor monitoring around an Energy Recovery Unit (ERU) – SYCTOM – France

Our commitment
for waste treatment sites

Comprehensive environmental monitoring:

  • Establish a robust system for monitoring odor emissions to minimize impact on neighboring communities.
  • Implement continuous monitoring of gas and particulate emissions to ensure effective management of atmospheric discharges.
  • Identify, quantify, and alert on environmental emission and odor issues with precision and efficiency.
  • Utilize advanced technologies for real-time emission monitoring to ensure immediate responsiveness when regulatory thresholds are exceeded. This enables the precise and timely implementation of appropriate remediation actions, such as activating misting systems or other corrective measures, to address issues effectively and accurately.

Expertise and technological innovation:

  • Apply advanced particle monitoring methods to assess and minimize risks to air quality.
  • Anticipate odor dispersion patterns and assist clients in taking appropriate preventive measures.
  • Objectively identify odor compounds in each area, facilitating impartial resolution of odor issues based on scientific data.
  • Conduct analyses at site peripheries and at source points to ensure comprehensive coverage of areas of interest.

Compliance, awareness, and optimization:

  • Ensure full compliance with current environmental standards regarding odor, gas, and particulate emissions.
  • Develop emergency procedures for prompt response in case of exceeding allowed limits.
  • Raise stakeholder awareness about measures taken to reduce odor and environmental impacts.
  • Use monitoring data to engage in continuous improvement efforts aimed at optimizing processes and further reducing emissions.

The benefits
of our products for your operations

  • Enhanced employee health and safety:
    Continuous monitoring of gas and odor emissions ensures a healthier and safer work environment for your employees, thereby reducing the risks associated with exposure to atmospheric pollutants.
  • Compliance with environmental regulations:
    Our solutions help you remain compliant with environmental standards and current regulations, ensuring adherence to legal norms and regulatory requirements.
  • Improved operational efficiency:
    Real-time monitoring of environmental emissions allows for the optimization of operational processes, identification of inefficiencies, and continuous improvement for more effective facility management.
  • Strengthening the exemplary image of your sites:
    By demonstrating your commitment to proactive monitoring and reduction of atmospheric emissions, you enhance your company’s image of social and environmental responsibility, thereby boosting its reputation and credibility.
  • Reduction of neighbor complaints:
    By anticipating and addressing odor-related issues, you minimize nuisances for local communities, thereby reducing complaints from neighbors and improving relations with local stakeholders.
  • Environmental and health assurance:
    Our solutions provide constant monitoring and responsive measures to environmental events, ensuring the health and safety of your employees and the protection of the environment.

Regulatory standards for the waste treatment sector

Regulatory requirements cover a broad range of controls and obligations aimed at minimizing the impacts of atmospheric emissions from waste treatment facilities, protecting air quality, public health, and the environment. Operators must not only adhere to specific pollutant limits but also adopt best available techniques and carry out continuous monitoring to ensure ongoing and sustainable compliance.

EUROPEAN DIRECTIVES AND NATIONAL REGULATIONS

Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) 2010/75/EU

  • Objective: Prevention and reduction of air pollution from industrial facilities, including waste treatment plants.
  • Requirements: Use of Best Available Techniques (BAT) to limit emissions.
  • Standards and limits:
    • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Typical limit of 50 mg/m³.
    • Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂): Limit of 50 to 200 mg/Nm³ (normal cubic meter).
    • Nitrogen Oxides (NOₓ): Limit of 200 to 500 mg/Nm³.
    • Fine Particles (PM10 and PM2.5): Limit of 10 to 50 mg/Nm³ depending on the industrial process.
    • Greenhouse gases (GHG): Specifically for methane (CH₄), a limit of 3,000 ppmv (parts per million by volume) for large installations.

National regulations

  • Objective: Each country in the European Union (and beyond) has its own specific laws and regulations concerning atmospheric emissions from waste treatment facilities.
  • Examples :
    • France: The decree of February 2, 1998 establishes specific limits for atmospheric emissions from facilities classified for environmental protection (ICPE). Here are some of the main limits concerning gases and particles:
      • Unspecified VOCs: 110 mg/Nm³.
      • NOx (expressed as NO₂): 300 mg/Nm³ for boilers, 500 mg/Nm³ for other facilities.
      • SO₂ : 500 mg/Nm³.
      • Fine particles PM10: Specific limit under certain conditions.
      • CO : 50 mg/Nm³.
    • Germany: TA Luft (Technical Instructions on Air Quality Control) regulation imposes strict limits on atmospheric pollutant emissions.
      • Unspecified VOCs: 50 mg/Nm³
      • NOx (expressed as NO₂): 200 mg/Nm³ for large combustion installations, 500 mg/Nm³ for smaller installations
      • SO₂ : 400 mg/Nm³ for boilers, 200 mg/Nm³ for other facilities.
      • Total dust: 20 mg/Nm³
      • Fine particles PM10: Specific limit under certain conditions.
      • CO : 50 mg/Nm³.

Monitoring and reporting requirements

  • Periodic reports: Facilities must submit compliance reports to the relevant authorities, including measurement results and performance evaluations against regulatory limits.
  • Continuous monitoring: Operators must install continuous monitoring systems for emissions of VOCs, NOₓ, SO₂, particulates, and other pollutants.

Management of odor nuisances

  • Specific standards for odors: Limits on permissible odor levels, often measured in European Odor Units (OUE).
    • Threshold perception concentration: Typically 1 OUE/m³.
    • Olfactory comfort limits: Often set between 3 to 5 OUE/m³ for residential areas.

Your questions, our solutions

How to accurately measure, identify, and locate noise indoors?

Indoor noise management is essential for safety and comfort. It’s not just about measuring sound levels but also accurately identifying the sources and nature of the noise to tailor remediation strategies.

Ellona’s POD2 devices play a key role in acoustic monitoring and indoor safety, whether in offices, hospitals, factories, schools, or commercial spaces.

  • Continuous measurement of sound levels to ensure a compliant environment
  • Identification of noise sources (machines, voices, barking, alarms, ventilation…)
  • Detailed analysis of the nature of the noises (impulsive, resonant, mechanical…)
  • Detection of critical noises (gunfire, security alarms, glass breakage, technical incidents…)
  • Targeted remediation to secure infrastructure and protect people

With EllonaSoft, data is centralized, analyzed, and utilized in real-time, enabling fast and efficient decision-making in the event of an incident.

Learn more

How to accurately measure, identify, and locate odors (odours) indoors?

The management of indoor odor (odour) nuisances is based on three essential aspects:

  • Real-time odor (odour) detection to identify any anomalies
  • Measurement of odor (odour) intensity to track their evolution and impact
  • Accurate identification of the nature of odors (odours) and their sources for quick and targeted remediation

Ellona’s  POD2  is an advanced solution that continuously analyzes indoor air through a combination of MOS sensors and smart algorithms. This enables the anticipation and effective management of odor (odour) nuisances in sensitive environments such as offices, hospitals, laboratories, industrial kitchens, or commercial spaces.

All collected data is centralized, analyzed, and utilized through the EllonaSoft platform. This powerful tool enables real-time monitoring, rapid identification of odor (odour) nature and sources, and optimization of remediation strategies, ensuring better control of odor (odour) nuisances and healthier indoor air.

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How to measure, identify, and locate fine particles, including PM1, PM2.5, and PM10, indoors?

Ellona’s POD2 enables real-time indoor measurement of fine particles (PM1, PM2.5, PM10, and down to PM0.3) using optical sensors. These sensors detect and count particles by measuring light scattering, providing precise air quality monitoring. In addition to measuring particle concentration, the POD2 leverages artificial intelligence algorithms to identify their nature and source, helping to better understand pollution origins and optimize remediation actions. Data is centralized and analyzed via EllonaSoft, ensuring optimized health risk management and real-time monitoring to protect occupants’ safety.

The POD2 specifically monitors fine particle levels in line with WHO recommendations:

  • PM2.5: ≤ 5 µg/m³ (annual average exposure)
  • PM10: ≤ 15 µg/m³ (annual average exposure)
  • PM1: Few official guidelines, but high concentrations can be concerning.

This capability of measurement, analysis, and identification enhances the understanding of indoor pollution challenges and enables the effective adaptation of air quality improvement strategies.

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How to measure, identify, and precisely locate gas emissions indoors?

Ellona’s POD2 ensures the safety of people and infrastructure by monitoring indoor air quality through real-time multivariate analysis. It measures up to 5 gases simultaneously (4 electrochemical sensors + 1 optical sensor) from a list of 21 possible gases (NO₂, SO₂, CO, O₃, NH₃, etc.). Its artificial intelligence algorithms accurately identify gas types, detect their interactions, and locate their sources. Through the EllonaSoft platform, smart alerts and automated corrective actions (ventilation, air purification) are implemented, ensuring a healthier environment, optimal occupant protection, and infrastructure preservation.

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How to measure, identify, and accurately locate outdoor noise?

Outdoor noise management relies on two key aspects: measuring sound levels to ensure compliance with regulations, and accurately identifying noise sources for targeted nuisance management. Ellona‘s WT1 Lite and WT1 Pro devices address these needs. These devices precisely monitor outdoor sound levels to ensure compliance with authorized thresholds, whether in urban or industrial environments. They provide continuous monitoring of sound intensities and allow for adjustments in control strategies based on changes in noise levels. The WT1 Pro goes further by offering a detailed analysis of sound signatures through artificial intelligence algorithms and databases. Additionally, with the EllonaSoft platform,the collected data is centralized, analyzed, and used to optimize noise nuisance management, helping to secure people, infrastructure, and the environment.

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How to measure, identify, and precisely locate gas emissions outdoors?

Thanks to real-time multivariate analysis, Ellona provides ultra-precise identification of the nature and sources of gas emissions. The WT1 Pro device integrates up to 6 electrochemical sensors and 2 optical sensors (or 1 optical and 1 PID), while the WT1 Lite can contain up to 4 electrochemical sensors and 1 optical sensor, with the option to choose from a list of 25 different gases.

The EllonaSoft platform processes this data every 10 seconds to identify, locate, and dynamically model emissions, integrating meteorological data and AI algorithms.

The result? Precise detection, intelligent alerts, and automated corrective actions—ideal for industrial sites, smart cities, ports, and airports.

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Is the analysis of NH3 and H2S molecules enough to qualify and quantify odors (odours)?

No, the analysis of H2S (hydrogen sulfide) and NH3 (ammonia) molecules is not sufficient to assess all odors (odours) present in an environment. Although these molecules are commonly analyzed using electrochemical sensors, they only represent a fraction of the odor (odour) compounds. Hydrogen sulfide and ammonia are indeed important components of certain odor (odour) nuisances, but many other chemical compounds are responsible for varied and complex odors, such as aldehydes, volatile fatty acids, and mercaptans, which are not detected by these traditional technologies. This is precisely what the MOX (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensors used in Ellona devices, such as the WT1 Lite, the WT1 Pro (specifically designed for outdoor use), and the POD2 (adapted for indoor environments), are capable of detecting.

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How to measure, identify, and precisely locate odors (odours) outdoors?

Odors (odours) are measured, identified, and precisely located by deploying devices either at the source (technical facilities, industrial sites, etc.) or on the periphery of sites to monitor dispersion and assess the impact of olfactory nuisances.

Ellona’s devices, such as the  WT1 Pro  and  WT1 Lite ,do more than just measure odor (odour) levels. Thanks to a combination of MOS sensors and advanced data processing based on multivariate statistics and artificial intelligence, our sensors can accurately identify the nature and sources of olfactory nuisances. The WT1 Pro, designed for confined sources, is particularly well-suited for this task, while the WT1 Lite is dedicated to monitoring the periphery of sites, tracking odor (odour) dispersion in the environment.

Ellona also relies on several recognized methodologies to identify odor (odour) sources:

  • source observation,
  • clustering, the FISOL methodology,
  • and dynamic olfactometry (EN 13725), which is only possible with the WT1 Pro.

These approaches analyze nuisances based on their temporal recurrence, intensity, frequency, and duration. All collected data is integrated into atmospheric dispersion models that factor in meteorological conditions (wind direction and speed, temperature, humidity, etc.), allowing for a comprehensive analysis of odor (odour) propagation and the optimization of nuisance reduction strategies.

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