Odor Removal Treatments
Adsorbents
are typically solid materials, such as activated charcoal, which capture and hold odors on their surfaces. Adsorption describes the method of action by which a box of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) picks up the odors in your refrigerator. The use of adsorbents is growing. In fire restoration work, etc. air cleaners equipped with activated carbon filters can be utilized to literally grab odorous gases out of the air.
Neutralization
implies a chemical balance, or a mathematical equation where (-1)+(1)=0. Neutralization processes work well against chemical odors such as chlorine and various types of acids. For instance, the application of sodium bicarbonate and water solutions will effectively neutralize the odor liberated from an acid spill.
Oxidation
is partially defined as reaction in which oxygen combines with another substance. Many materials which have the capability of whitening textiles by chemical action are also effective deodorizers because of the oxidation process. Similarly, ozone, hydrogen peroxide and household bleach can be very effective in eliminating odor problems such as those caused by organic decomposition and by skunks
Biocides
are materials which kill or inhibit the growth of micro-organisms. Some micro-organisms are odorous due to chemical processes in which they participate, such as fermentation and decomposition. Biocides are effective in eliminating odor problems such as those caused by mold and mildew.
Counteraction
means to "work against". Some odors are made up of a mixture of compounds, and as such are called complex odors. Complex odors such as smoke odor respond well to a series of odor counteraction procedure such as suppression spraying, vapor phase deodorization and thermal fogging.
Bio-enzymatic Digestion
is a process whereby special genetically engineered bacteria and enzymes actually consume odorous materials such as animal excreta and spilled fuel oil.
Some odor problems can be remedied with just one of the techniques discussed. Others require multiple procedures. Because of the introduction of improved odor control products and application equipment, the industry's capability for successfully solving odor problems is improving daily - and solving odor problems is becoming both more fulfilling and more profitable.