Water and air: sewer ventilation modeling

The modeling and analysis of sewer ventilation to prevent odors emanating from wastewater collection systems is a niche area. In most system designs it is not considered at all. If all goes well then odors are not a problem. If all goes badly then a billion dollar system may find itself in the press for all the wrong reasons. The analysis of sewer ventilation is a classic mix of water hydraulics and air movement theories. SWMM can provide the hydraulic components. This paper looks at where we have been, where we are and where we might go in this field.