What Is Odour Control?

In industrial and municipal environments, unpleasant odours are more than just a nuisance – they can have environmental, regulatory and reputational consequences. Whether in wastewater treatment, food production, landfill management or chemical processing, odour control is essential to maintaining clean, safe and compliant operations.

At Probe Industries, we specialise in odour control solutions that work at the source. From ProActive^™, our advanced chemical odour neutraliser for sludge and liquid streams, to AiroPure® and AiroNaut^™, our leading airborne odour control systems, we offer a complete, scientifically-engineered approach to industrial malodour management.

However, in order to find the perfect solution for your business, it’s first important to understand what odour control actually is and the different ways it can work. In this guide, we explore what causes odours, how they form and the most effective methods for eliminating them using industry-proven solutions.

What is odour? Understanding the science behind smells

Odour is simply the smell we detect when certain chemical compounds are released into the air and picked up by our noses. These compounds – often called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or sulphur-based gases – come from a wide range of natural and industrial sources, especially where organic material is breaking down.

Not all odours are unpleasant, of course – but in many industrial settings, the smells produced are strong, persistent and anything but pleasant. That’s because the breakdown of waste or biological material, particularly in places with little or no oxygen, tends to release some pretty nasty gases.

The most common offenders include:

• Hydrogen sulphide: Known for its distinctive ‘rotten egg’ smell.
• Mercaptans: Powerful sulphur-based compounds that smell like garlic or skunk.
• Amines and ammonia: Often associated with decaying animal or food waste.

What makes industrial odours tricky is that many of these compounds can be detected by the human nose at incredibly low concentrations – sometimes just a few parts per billion. That means even a tiny release can be enough to cause complaints or concerns, especially in nearby communities.

Understanding what causes these smells – and how to stop them before they spread – is the first step to managing odour effectively.

How do odours form?

Odours form, when organic material breaks down and releases gases into the air. This often happens in anaerobic environments – places with little or no oxygen – such as sewage systems, sludge tanks, landfills and industrial waste storage.

As mentioned above, in these low-oxygen conditions, bacteria break down waste and produce gases like hydrogen sulphide, mercaptans and ammonia and amines. It’s these compounds that are highly odorous and can be detected by the human nose even at very low levels.

It goes without saying if you’ve experienced bad industrial odour – without proper treatment, these smells can quickly escape into the surrounding area, causing strong and persistent odour pollution.

The key to effective odour control is stopping these gases before they are released into the air. We look at this more detail below.

How to eliminate bad odours

Effectively eliminating industrial odours calls for a systematic approach – one that addresses both the source of the smell and its pathway to release. the best way to do this is by using professional industrial odour control systems.

What are industrial odour control systems?

Put simply, industrial odour control systems are specialised technologies designed to capture, contain and neutralise bad smells. These systems range from simple points-source solutions to complex facility-wide installations, all with the same goal – preventing malodours from impacting your operations or surrounding communities.

At Probe Industries, we’ve developed systems that work at every stage of odour formation and release. Our approach focuses on three key methods:

• Source control: Preventing odours from forming by altering conditions or adding neutralising agents directly to the source material.
• Containment systems: Capturing odorous air before it can escape into the wider environment.
• Treatment technologies: Processing captured air to remove or neutralise odorous compounds.

The most effective odour control strategy often combines all three approaches in a comprehensive solution tailored to your specific challenges.

Our ProActive chemical treatments work directly in liquid and sludge environments, neutralising odours at the source before they can become airborne. This proactive approach is particularly effective in wastewater treatment, where preventing hydrogen sulphide formation can eliminate the majority of odour issues before they start.

When it comes to airborne odours that have already formed, different systems are needed. For example, our AiroPure and AiroNaut eliminators can both be sprayed or injected directly into sludge/wastewaters in different concentrations, depending on the specific job at hand. These systems can be configured to address specific odour profiles, ensuring optimal performance regardless of your industry or process. They also both come in a range of different scent options, from fragrance-free to cherry, citrus and lavender.

However, it’s important to remember that effective odour control isn’t just about having the right equipment – it’s also about understanding the science behind smells and applying the right solution at the right stage. With this in mind, our team of specialists works with you to identify the specific compounds causing problems, analyse their sources and suggest a bespoke targeted approach that delivers measurable results.

So, whether your business is dealing with regulatory compliance issues and community complaints, or simply wants to improve conditions for your workforce, get in touch today. We have the expertise and technology to help you achieve odour-free operations.