Deodorization of any landfill site will normally be accomplished in one of two ways. The first method is by the use of air contact products. A system of nozzles may be positioned around part or all of the perimeter of the landfill. When complaints are limited to a specific area, or when the prevailing wind direction is predominant, nozzles along a portion of the perimeter may be sufficient for coverage. As an alternative, nozzles may also be attached to the compactors or other working vehicles such that deodorizers are delivered into the air as the odorous material is worked by the equipment. The products may be sprayed continuously or at preset timed intervals such as 20 seconds on, twenty seconds off, etc. The exact interval used will be determined by the intensity of the odor and the number of nozzles (and therefore the quantity of deodorizer) being implemented at any one time. As with any perimeter system, the controller can be designed to divide the nozzles into connected zones such that groups of nozzles may be turned on or off independently.
A second method of treating landfills involves surface contact products. These products may be sprayed directly on the working face or faces of the landfill. This is usually accomplished by means of a fire nozzle attached to a water cannon. The water truck simply drives along the edge of the area to be treated, while the cannon and nozzle deliver the deodorizer to the surface. A fan sprayer may also be attached to the outlet on a water truck. Some nozzles can easily reach 100 feet (33 meters) or more from the truck. This type of application will ideally occur in the morning as work begins, and in the evening as work concludes. In situations where tarps or any permeable alternative daily cover is used, the topical deodorizer may be sprayed on to the alternative daily cover for overnight deodorization. The topical products will normally contain odors until the treated surface is agitated.
An excellent method of complete odor management includes both technologies. During the active hours air contact products may be implemented from a stationary perimeter system or from equipment mounted nozzles as needed. Overnight, the surface treatment maintains odor control allowing the air contact product to be turned off.
