The Netherlands, like other countries, has many companies that emit unpleasant odors. Examples include the animal feed industry, food industry, sludge composting, slaughterhouses, rubber industry, etc. Verhoeve Nederland works together with its sister company Agrozone Europe BV to help companies significantly reduce their odor emissions so that the surroundings are no longer affected.
Ozone technology for odor treatment
To solve odor problems, we use our specialization with ozone technology. Odor treatment with ozone is a variant of cold oxidation. This is one of the most powerful techniques available today.
Pilot odor test
To determine the amount of ozone needed to remove unpleasant odors, we can perform an odor test as a pilot. In this test we mimic the situation present at the company. With this we can determine what reduction we can achieve and what is desirable for the customer.
An example project where odor nuisance is solved using our ozone technology is the CAVV Zuid Oost Salland site (see photo).
Verhoeve conducts PFOS pilot at Leeuwarden Air Base
Published March 20, 2025
Soil contamination occurred at the former fire department training site at Leeuwarden Air Base due to the use of fire extinguishing water containing PFOS. PFOS is a harmful substance belonging to the PFAS group. The fire extinguishing water leaked into the soil for years and was inadvertently drained through the existing underground drainage system into the adjacent Jelsumer Faert.
Investigation into cause
The Wetterkip Fryslan came across the pollution during research prior to dredging work in the canal. After extensive investigation, the cause was found at the air base. The surface water at and around the base was found to be contaminated with extremely high concentrations of PFOS. The link to the base was quickly established.
The "Leeuwarden Air Base" site is among the most PFOS-contaminated sites in the Netherlands. Besides Leeuwarden Air Base, several other defense sites are contaminated with PFOS. Mainly caused by firefighting foam.
Pilot implementation and collaboration
Because of its expertise in dealing with PFOS-contaminated sites, Verhoeve Netherlands was asked by Rijksvastgoedbedrijf (RVB) to participate in a construction team. Together with consulting firm WSP from Leeuwarden, which had already conducted the soil investigation at the site, a plan of action was made for the implementation of a pilot.
Phased implementation
Given the extent of the contamination and the necessary well abstraction requiring prior treatment of the PFOS-containing groundwater, part of the relatively easily accessible source was removed first, referred to as phase 1 (pilot). The pilot was established with the goal of gaining knowledge to address the remaining more extensive contamination (phase 2).
The goal is multiple. How is drainage and treatment of PFOS-containing groundwater possible? What flow rates are released? What is the quality of the deep and shallow groundwater? What is the impact of stress drainage on surrounding infrastructure? What is the best purification technique of the PFOS-containing groundwater and to what concentrations can the PFOS in the water be purified back?
Commissioned by RVB, Verhoeve conducted a test with PFOS-containing groundwater from Leeuwarden Air Base at its test facility in Dordrecht late last year. During this test, different types of aqueous activated carbon were tested on a lab scale from which a best available type emerged that was applied during the pilot.
The pilot conducted has gathered vital information that will be used to scale up the approach for the remaining contamination (Phase 2) later this year. But also to PFOS remediation elsewhere in the Netherlands or abroad.
Applied technique implementation pilot
The PFOS-containing groundwater was pumped up from various layers by means of open and vacuum (tension) pumping, which were previously determined to be concentrated from previous research. The water was stored in large buffer tanks. The initial concentration of the water was determined beforehand. Tests were carried out with this water. The water was cleaned in "batches" by serial sand and activated carbon filtration. After passing each treatment step, water samples were taken to monitor the effect. In cooperation with WSP and Verhoeve, a final report will be drawn up which, as already mentioned, will serve as input for the implementation of phase 2.
Discharge requirements water
Wetterskip Fryslan has always been involved in the design and implementation of the pilot test. In consultation, the monitoring plan has been expanded with additional parameters for better insight into the operation and result of the treatment. The results of the pilot are part of the Wetterskip's consideration in setting the discharge standards for phase 2 of the remediation. For more information, please contact Jan Henk Schuurman 06-12 96 60 57.
Well, that 10 years is actually 25 years. Because the company we're talking about started controlling groundwater contamination with zinc on its own property in Brabant around the year 2000. After some time, it became clear to the company that keeping such a system in operation was quite a special job. The flow rate extracted decreased significantly and with it the effectiveness of the control measure.
In 2014, it was really time to intervene, and TAUW and Verhoeve were asked to install and maintain a new system. Since that time, groundwater has been extracted from 8 deepwells, with the water being taken through individual pipes to the plant's water treatment plant.
High iron concentration
The high iron concentration in the groundwater is literally and figuratively an ongoing concern. Every 5 weeks the pumps are cleaned and the pipes are cleaned 2x a year. The wells themselves are regenerated once a year.
But the result is pleasing. At about 300 m3/day, the groundwater contamination is well controlled. This is considerably less than the previously anticipated more than 400 m3/day. Therefore, the flow rate to be extracted was "ex officio" changed from 413 to 300 m3/day in 2020. The graph gives a nice picture of the decreasing flow rate until 2013, and then the average stable picture of the flow rate despite the difficult conditions.
Substantial removal of Zn
It is also important to mention that significant removal of Zn occurs with the management measure. On average about 7.5 mg/l. For the year 2024, that meant a removal of 800 kg of zinc! This makes the system unintentional but certainly welcome actually a hybrid form of an active remediation measure and a management measure.
Unfortunately, the source of the problem cannot be reached in the coming years; the management measure will have to remain in place for the time being.
This article was written is collaboration with Bert Scheffer of TAUW. For more information, please contact Jeroen Schoovers of Verhoeve Netherlands at 06-22 55 20 57.
Soon, Verhoeve Netherlands will move into its new office and industrial hall on the Revelhorst business park in Zutphen. The construction has been completed and we are now working hard to furnish the outside area, offices and company hall. As of April 23, our company will be operational at the new location.
Business park Revelhorst is one of the largest heat islands in the Municipality of Zutphen. Like so many industrial sites, it has a lot of concrete and asphalt and little greenery. The municipality has started a project to green the business park and wants to do it together with entrepreneurs on site. With several other entrepreneurs, Verhoeve took up the gauntlet and made a plan for a green layout of the space around the new premises.
In outline, the measures are as follows:
Planting of 6 trees of decent initial size.
Instead of fencing, plant approximately 200 m of hedge consisting of native species.
A planting box every 4 parking spaces.
Construction of a wadi for infiltration of precipitation.
Sow with an herbal mixture of the rear yard section.
Construction of an office garden.
Paths and patio at the Achterhoeks Padvast office garden. A permeable semi-paving.
With the measures, Verhoeve is contributing to a better climate, a boost to biodiversity and a pleasant working environment for employees. Implementation will take place as early as late March/early April.
Verhoeve Netherlands has a well-equipped test facility. Here we perform tests on soil, water and air for application in soil remediation, but also for process water treatment in sectors such as "food" and floriculture. We focus on the removal of contamination, pathogens, odor and color. This makes the test facility an important pillar of the activity of Verhoeve and other companies within the group of companies to which Verhoeve belongs.
We conduct the tests for customers who require insight into removal techniques in their specific application. The tests range from simple beaker tests to full-scale pilots from which the design parameters for the full-scale application are derived. Pilots are carried out at our test facility in Dordrecht, but if desired also at the customer's site.
Based on the tests carried out in 2024 and their translation, we were able to provide a full scale solution for, among others, 2 deodorization plants at a compound feed plants, 2 water treatment plants for the removal of heavy metals and PFAS respectively, and a specific disinfection issue for an ornamental horticulture food solution. The plants for this application will be installed by Verhoeve in 2025.
Featured: Decolorization
Liquids do not always have the desired color for their application. Sometimes there is too little transparency for UV treatment, sometimes the color is unattractive for further application in the food chain. Ozone can be a solution for this. After all, ozone has excellent decolorizing properties.
With this fact in mind, Verhoeve's R&D department set to work. Over the past few months, a large number of tests on various liquids have been carried out on customer demand. In these tests, the decolorizing effect was confirmed. The photo below shows the results of a test with decolorization by ozone in the food sector. During the treatment, the color decreased from dark blue-green to milk-white.
Our customer is very enthusiastic about this result and in April we will conduct a pilot test for this on a larger scale. If you are also looking for a good method for liquid decolorization, or another challenge in the treatment of process water, please contact Verhoeve's R&D department. Contact person is Edward van de Ven, senior consultant(06-51864919).
Verhoeve and ECT2 share knowledge on PFAS treatment groundwater
Published Feb. 10, 2025
On Thursday, January 23, we attended the prestigious Soil Broad Forum, held at the Deltares site in Delft. This thematic meeting was entirely dedicated to PFAS, with the participation of key players from various sectors dealing with this pressing issue. The event provided a valuable opportunity to share insights and gain knowledge on the latest developments in the field of PFAS. With 120 attendees in the room and as many participants online, this was a particularly large turnout, clearly meeting a great need!
In cooperation with ECT2, Jeroen Schoovers of Verhoeve Netherlands had the opportunity to give an in-depth presentation on the design, engineering and operation of an advanced full-scale water treatment plant for PFAS. This plant, operational since September 2023, has been implemented at Svedavia Arlanda Air Base in Sweden and illustrates our expertise in developing innovative and sustainable solutions to complex water treatment issues.
In addition, we discussed in detail the various purification techniques available for PFAS, with a detailed evaluation of their advantages and disadvantages. This enables our customers to make informed choices for the most effective and cost-efficient solutions for PFAS contamination.
Do you have questions about PFAS water treatment or remediation solutions? Please feel free to contact us for customized advice and further information.
Verhoeve participant and exhibitor Knowledge Program Aqua Netherlands!
Published Jan. 29, 2025
'Working together on water' is the motto of Aqua Netherlands! Forces are combined to make a difference and tackle current water issues. At Next Level you can also attend the extensive knowledge program with 65 knowledge sessions and over 90 speakers for free. Be inspired! Verhoeve will be present as an exhibitor and speaker from March 18-20 in Gorinchem. You can find us at stand number E44!
On Thursday, March 20, 11 a.m., we will discuss "The variety of application possibilities of ozone in industrial process water": do´s, don´s and legal framework!
Disinfection, decolorization and deodorization, biocide legislation, customization through laboratory testing, cleaning in place of piping and silos, oxidation vs. biocide application.
This session is of interest to: companies, process water, disinfection water streams: chemical technologists and preparers of water treatment technologies.
