Abstract:
This invention relates to a portable odor scrubber system that is inserted into a sewer manhole or lift station where vaporous odors are prone to escape into the external environment. The invention controls such odors which may be caused by hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, mercaptan and other vapors which smell bad and can pose a severe health hazard. The invention has an automatic gas sensor trigger mechanism to control a fan to pull the noxious fumes through a series of scrubbers and to discharge treated air into the environment. Scrubber units may be easily replaced as well as designated to treat different environmental conditions. The invention can also store and transmit gas data information to an offsite location to monitor conditions where the portable odor scrubber system is located.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS, PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This utility Non-provisional patent application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/546,198 filed on Oct. 12, 2011. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to gas scrubbers which aid in odor control. More specifically, a gas scrubber system is incorporated into a sewer manhole or lift station. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In underground sewage and drainage tunnels, all types of waste, debris, fertilizers, and other matter become entrained in water and perhaps other fluids, causing them to decay. This decay of matter exudes gas, vapors and odors. In addition to the foul smell, some gases may be hazardous to health, while others may be flammable. Some of these gases include, but may not be limited to, hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, mercaptan, ammonia, methane as well as the con-commitment exudate of decaying organic matter. Any type of particle, if small enough, will easily be airborne as well. These underground sewage and drainage tunnels are present in most if not all cities of any size, all over the world. The water and other fluids flow eventually to a water treatment plant where after comprehensive remediation, the water will be released back into the environment. All though the underground sewage and drainage tunnels are access points and other areas where workmen may have to gain access to the tunnels from the surface. These manhole covers and lift stations are ubiquitous. 
         [0004]    The hydrogen sulfide, besides being a toxic gas, also act as a highly corrosive agent especially to concrete which is used to manufacture the sewage tunnels and the manhole access tunnels. By removing this gas, the lifetime of the sewage infrastructure would be increased which would bring savings to the municipalities and their agents which are tasked to maintain them. 
         [0005]    The odorous gasses and fumes may also, if not treated, add to the carbon released into the atmosphere and contribute to climate change. The instant invention is designed to be placed down a manhole cover or other subterranean access point, and permit the remediation of the gasses, fumes, vapors and entrained particles, by employing a series of filters and scrubbers in series, removing the harmful gasses, fumes, vapors and entrained particles in a safe and environmentally friendly way. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The invention is directed to an air filtering scrubbing apparatus which may be placed down a manhole into a sewage system line. The apparatus includes a plurality of stacked filtration/scrubbing units, further connected to a fan unit, which in turn is connected to a power unit. A plurality of electrical, power, control and communication (SCADA) devices are incorporated therein. When the fan is activated, the contaminated air from the sewage system line is pulled up through the stacked filtration/scrubbing units removing unhealthy gasses and vapors, malodorous smells, and entrained fine particles. The fan may be selectively activated when a gas sensor indicates the concentration of specific gasses exceeds a certain preset limit. This permits the stacked filtration/scrubbing units to have an extended lifetime, therefore they will require less frequent replacement. After the contaminated air passes through the stacked filtration/scrubbing units, the remediated air is then pushed by the fan above ground, where it mixes with the air in the environment. The apparatus is supported above the manhole by any of a variety of means. The apparatus may transmit data to an off site monitoring station, which would inform the proper authorities of any maintenance or malfunction, when the filter/scrubber units should be changed, the state of the battery, and time data logging of when the scrubbing apparatus had been employed. The apparatus may be powered by conventional means or by solar/wind power. The apparatus prevents untreated sewage line air from contaminating the air in the environment. The present invention or embodiments thereof have application in manhole odor control, industrial odor control, waste water odor control, odor control for lift stations and odor control for pump stations. The term odor control also includes the removal of hazardous gasses, corrosive gasses, undesirable gasses, as well as the removal of particulates. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a cut away side view of the portable odor scrubber system with sensor for use in conjunction with sewer manholes, lift station or the like. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a cut away side view of the stacked filtering and scrubbing elements which form a portion of the portable odor scrubber system with sensor for use in conjunction with sewer manholes, lift station or the like. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2   a  is a bottom view of the portable odor scrubber system with sensor for use in conjunction with sewer manholes, lift station or the like. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a cut away side view of the fan portion of the portable odor scrubber system with sensor for use in conjunction with sewer manholes, lift station or the like, showing the gas sensor, power supplies to both the fan and the sensor, as well as a tapered wall below the fan. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3A  is a top view taken along lines  3 A- 3 A of  FIG. 3 , showing the fan, fan mounting means, and the gas sensor with it&#39;s associated power line. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a cut away side view of the upper portion of the portable odor scrubber system with sensor for use in conjunction with sewer manholes, lift station or the like showing the power input, the power converter and the battery power source for powering the fan to cause the scrubbed and filtered air to be removed through the exhaust flute. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4A  is a top view of the portable odor scrubber system with sensor for use in conjunction with sewer manholes, lift station or the like. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing the relationship of the power system, multiple sensors, sensor integration for fan control, data storage and logging and communication elements for communicating the status of multiple elements of the portable odor scrubbing system to an off site monitoring facility. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0016]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a side view of portable odor scrubber system  10  is shown. In one embodiment, the portable odor scrubber system  10  would be placed in the manhole as a substitution or addition to a modified manhole cover, so that vehicles and the like may pass over without damaging the invention. In a perspective view, the scrubber system would be cylindrical and have a rugged outer shell  11 . The rugged outer shell  11  would be waterproof non-corrosive, and may be manufactured of any of a host of materials with such properties. One such material which may be employed for this function is stainless steel. The scrubber system  10  is a plurality of interconnected modules, each having a function or functions to perform. The portable odor scrubber system  10  is designed to fit in the aperture which is currently covered by a manhole cover or the like. The instant invention system  10  may also be employed in a lift station. From bottom to top of  FIG. 1  are several interconnected modules. First, there are three filtration scrubbing modules, a first module  50 , a second module  60  and a third module  70 , and located above the third module  70  is a fan module  80  which creates a low pressure area which causes the gasses in the sewer to flow through the filtration scrubbing modules  21 . The first module  50  has a plurality of gas or vapor inlet holes  18  located about the lower half of the cylindrical sidewall  50   a . The bottom  16  of the first module  50  is circular and forms the bottom of the cylindrical sidewall  50   a . The bottom  16  also has a plurality of gas or vapor inlet holes  18 , which will best be seen in  FIG. 2A . The first module  50  is filled with filtering granules. These filtering granules (not shown) start the process of remediation of the air impregnated with sewage vapors and other noxious gas and entrained particulates. The top  55  of the first module  50  includes a plurality of exit holes (not shown) to allow the now partially treated sewage gas to enter the second module  60 . 
         [0017]    Located directly above the first module  50  is the second module  60 . The second module  60  is also cylindrical and has the same diameter of the first module  50 . The second module  60  also has a circular bottom  65  and includes a plurality of inlet holes (not shown) to allow the partially treated sewage gas to move upward by action of the fan  90  into the second module  60  for further treatment. The second module is filled with scrubbing beads. These scrubbing beads (not shown) continue the process of remediation of the air impregnated with sewage vapors and other noxious gas and entrained particulates. The top  67  of the second module  60  includes a plurality of exit holes (not shown) to allow the now further remediated sewage gas with more of the chemicals and adulterants which cause foul odors removed to enter the third module  70  again being pulled upwardly by the fan  90 . 
         [0018]    Located directly above the second module  60  is the third module  70 . The third module  70  is also cylindrical and has the same diameter of the first module  50  and the second module  60 . The third module  70  also has a circular bottom  75  and includes a plurality of inlet holes (not shown) to allow the further remediated sewage gas to move into the third module  60  for final treatment. The third module is filled with an oxidant. The oxidant (not shown) completes the process of remediation of the air impregnated with sewage vapors and other noxious gas and entrained particulates. The top  77  of the third module  70  includes a plurality of exit holes (not shown) to allow the completely treated sewage gas, which is considered clean enough to enter the environment, to enter the fan module  80 . 
         [0019]    The first filtration module  50 , the second filtration module  60  and the third filtration module  70  are generally mounted in such an arrangement as shown, and may be referred to in total as the filtration modules  21 . Although the three filtration modules described above have specific chemical and/or mechanical filter media specific for the anticipated gas(es) to be encountered, other chemical and or mechanical filter medial may be employed. The filter modules are interchangeable and are stackable to facilitate the use of multiple filters. Each of the filtration substances, granules, beads and the oxidant are housed in disposable cartridges that are stacked on one another within modules  21  and housed in rugged outer shell  11 . 
         [0020]    The fan module  80  is located on top  77  of the third module  70 . The fan module  80  is also cylindrical and is attached to the combination of the first module  50 , the second module  60  and the third module  70 , by a pair of quick release attachment means,  12  and  13  respectively. Other means may be employed to attach the fan module  80  to the three filtration modules  21 . The fan module  80  also has a circular bottom element  85  and a circular top element  87 . The circular bottom element  85  also has a plurality of entry holes to allow the now treated air to pass into the fan module  85 . The lower portion of the fan module  80  has tapered walls  86  that taper upwardly toward the centrally disposed fan  90 . At the bottom of the fan is a sensor for hydrogen sulfide  92 . It is electrically connected to a sensor module  24 , which includes a sensor electronics package and a programmable control module. The electrical power module  100  includes a battery  110 , along with other power elements which will be discussed later. The battery  110  also powers the fan  90 . When the fan  90  is activated it creates an area of low pressure at the top of the filtration modules  21  which causes a force to act on the air impregnated with sewage vapors and other noxious gas and entrained particulates. This force pulls the air impregnated with sewage vapors and other noxious gas and entrained particulates through the filtration modules  21 , from the bottom  16 , through the vapor inlet holes  18 , through each of the scrubber modules,  50 ,  60  and  70 , and out the top  77  causing the once noxious air to be remediated. The fan  90  may be a linear fan, but it is not limited to such. The fan  90  is mounted below the circular top element  87  of the fan module  80 . The fan  90  mounting means is shown in more detail in  FIG. 3A . 
         [0021]    The fan module  80  includes a pressure differential monometer meter, or other pressure differential monitoring unit, (best seen in  FIG. 5 ) which may read, record and transmit the pressure differentials at each of, or through all of, the filtration modules  21 . As the contaminated air becomes remediated, the filters and scrubbers become filled with the materials which are removed from the contaminated air. This would be detected by the pressure differential monometer as an increase in the pressure difference between one of, or all of the filtration modules  21 . This indicates that one of, two of, or all of the filtration modules  21  will require replacement in order to maintain the efficiency of the filtration module(s)  21 . Replacement of the modules is very easy, as they are held together by quick release attachment means  12  and  13 . The portable odor scrubber system  10  may be pulled out of the manhole allowing access to the filtration modules  21  which are to be replaced. Once the quick release attachment means  12  and  13  are opened, the old filtration modules  21  are removed and replaced by a new set of filtration modules  21 , and the quick release attachment means  12  and  13  would be closed securing the new filtration modules  21  on the portable odor scrubber system  10 . The portable odor scrubber system  10  would then be placed back down the manhole. The replaced filtration modules  21  may be disposed of, recycled or refurbished for further use. It has further been considered possible that the filtration modules  21  may be replaced in situ, when such an operation is possible and advisable. 
         [0022]    The portable odor scrubber system  10  may include “smart elements”. These include the pressure differential monometer, sensors for detecting the chemical composition of the vapors, gasses, and entrained particles located in the sewer lines, sensors for detecting battery condition, sensors for detecting fan condition as well as a host of other devices. These would be connected to a sensor electronics package and a programmable control module. Additionally two-way communication between the portable odor scrubber system  10  and an off site monitoring station may be performed by SCADA or cellular phone systems. The acronym SCADA stands for Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition. The primary purpose of SCADA is to monitor and control a device or regional operating system from a central location. The present invention includes means to monitor any number of portable odor scrubbing systems  10 . 
         [0023]    The programmable control module includes a microprocessor and storage device for locally storing data generated by the sensors. The data generated may be transmitted to a receiver at a remote off site monitoring to allow remote supervision of the portable odor scrubber system  10 , and allow rapid response to maintenance or other requirements. 
         [0024]    Another aspect of the fan module  80  is the inter-connectivity between the sensors for detecting known harmful vapors, gasses, and entrained particles located in the sewer lines prior and during the passage of said contaminated air through the air filtration modules  21 . If the contaminant composition sensors indicate that the air in the sewer lines no longer pose a hazard, or are no longer malodorous, the fan  90  will be turned off to save battery  110  life as well as the filtration modules  21  lifespan. 
         [0025]    The power module  100  is also cylindrical, and a circular top  102  and circular bottom  104 . The power module  100  is affixed to the top of the fan module  87  by another pair of quick release attachment means,  14  and  15  respectively. In the fan module  80  below the power module  100 , the lower portion of the fan module tapers  86  upwardly toward the fan  90 . The fan  90  evacuates the remediated air through an exhaust flute  105  which is a circular opening formed on the top of the fan  90  to the outside environment. The cylindrical exhaust flute  105  is centrally located in the power module  100 . At the top of the exhaust flute  105  is a screen  125  which prevents materials from falling into the portable odor scrubber system  10 . The arrangement of modules  50 ,  60 ,  70 ,  80  and  100  provides an air communication route from the sewer to the atmosphere. The fan  90  first pulls the untreated air through treatment modules  50 ,  60 ,  70  as described above, and then pushes the treated air out through the exhaust flute  105 . The fan  90 , the treatment modules  50 ,  60 ,  70 , the center of the fan and the exhaust flute  105  form an air passageway  300 . 
         [0026]    The power module  100  includes a 6 Volt battery power source  110  which powers the fan  90 , the hydrogen sulfide sensor  92 , the sensor module  24  which further includes an electronics package and a programmable control module. A 110 volt AC inlet  115  is connected to a converter box  120  which acts to charge the battery  110 . Although the battery  110  has been selected to be 6 volts, other batteries with different voltages may be employed to power the electrical systems, as different embodiments of the instant invention may have different power requirements. Additionally, different countries have different standard AC voltages and the instant invention has considered that the AC inlet may not be solely 110V but may be another voltage, and the converter box  120  would be modified to accommodate any AC voltage which may be utilized. It has further been considered that a solar panel may be mated with the portable odor scrubber system  10  to provide for recharging the battery  110  and to also power other systems which may be employed in different embodiments and applications of the invention. Both line power or external battery power may be also utilized to recharge the battery  110  or power the portable odor scrubber system  10 . The interrelationship between the power systems, sensor systems and communication systems will be best seen in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0027]    The portable odor scrubber system  10  includes a linear series of interlocking or inter-fitting cylindrical elements which would be placed down an uncovered manhole or other location, where it would be removably mounted by a bail, hanger, or other support or suspension means (not shown). This allows the portable odor scrubber system  10  to be portable and deployable at different locations depending on operational requirements. Other means to suspend the portable odor scrubber system  10  may be provided depending on the location which is desired to be treated. Under certain circumstances, the portable odor scrubber system  10  may be permanently mounted in the manhole using appropriate permanent mounting means. 
         [0028]    One embodiment of the portable odor scrubbing system  10  is comprised of a series of interlocking or inter-fitting cylindrical modules as shown in  FIG. 1 . The portable odor scrubber system  10 , however, under certain circumstances, be comprised of a series of interlocking square, rectangular or other geometrically shaped modules, which would allow for a greater diversity of applications. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a side view of the filtration modules  21  is shown. In this embodiment, there are three different filter/scrubbing modules shown in stacked relation. From the bottom to the top, they include a first module  50 , a second module  60 , and a third module  70 . 
         [0030]    The first module  50  has a sidewall  50   a  which includes a plurality of vapor inlet holes  18 . The first module  50  also includes a bottom  16  (shown best in  FIG. 2A ) which also includes a plurality of vapor inlet holes  18 . The first module  50  in this embodiment is filled with filtering granules. There exists a great deal of different filtering media which is well known. Although the first module  50  employs filtering granules as its filtering/scrubbing media, it is in no way solely limited to that media. The top  55  of the first module  50  interconnects with the bottom  65  of the second module  60 . 
         [0031]    The bottom  65  of the second module  60  is in fluid communication with the first module  50  about the top  55 . This permits the air inducted into the filtration modules by the fan  90  to pass from the first module  50  to the second module  60 . The second module  60  is filled with scrubbing beads. Although the second module  60  employs scrubbing beads as its filtering/scrubbing media, it is in no way limited to that media. The top  67  of the second module  60  interconnects with the bottom  75  of the third module  70 . 
         [0032]    The bottom  75  of the third module  70  is in fluid communication with the second module  60  about the top  67 . This permits the air inducted into the filtration modules by the fan  90  to pass from the first module  50  to the second module  60  and then through the third module  70 . The third module  70  is filled with an oxidant. Although the third module  70  employs an oxidant as its filtering/scrubbing media, it is in no way limited to that media. The top  77  of the third module  70  interconnects with the fan module  80 . A portion of the quick connect elements  12  and  13  permit the rapid connection and disconnection of the filtration modules  21  to the fan module  80 . 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 2A , a bottom view of the portable odor scrubber system  10  is shown. The bottom  16  of the portable odor scrubber system  10  is shown having a plurality of vapor inlet holes  18 . The plurality of vapor inlet holes  18  will most likely be one of the elements of the portable odor scrubber system that will be most susceptible to corrosion. As such, these elements, as well as other corrosion susceptible elements may be coated with an anti-corrosive compound to increase their lifespan. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  shows the fan module  80  located on top  77  of the third module  70 . The fan module  80  is also cylindrical and is attached to the combination of the first module  50 , the second module  60  and the third module  70 , by a pair of quick release attachment means,  12  and  13  respectively. Other means may be employed to attach the fan module  80  to the three filtration modules  21 . The fan module  80  also has a circular bottom element  85  and a circular top element  87 . The circular bottom element  85  also has a plurality of entry holes to allow the now treated air to pass into the fan module  85 . The lower portion of the fan module  80  includes a tapered sidewall  86  which terminates proximal the centrally disposed fan  90 . The fan  90  preferably runs on direct current provided by the battery  110  and may be comprised of plastic or other non-corrosive material. Alternatively or additionally, the fan  90  may be treated with an anti-corrosive agent to extend its lifetime. At the bottom of the fan is a sensor for hydrogen sulfide  92 . It is electrically connected  24   a  to a sensor module  24 , which includes a sensor electronics package and a programmable control module. The electrical power module  100  includes a battery  110 , along with other power elements which will be discussed later. The battery  110  also powers the fan  90 . When the fan  90  is activated it creates an area of low pressure at the top of the filtration modules  21  which causes a force to act on the air impregnated with sewage vapors and other noxious gas and entrained particulates. This force pulls the air impregnated with sewage vapors and other noxious gas and entrained particulates through the filtration modules  21 , from the bottom  16 , through the vapor inlet holes  18 , through each of the scrubber modules,  50 ,  60  and  70 , and out the top  77  of the filtration modules  21  causing the once noxious air to be remediated. The fan  90  may be a linear fan, but it is not limited to such. The fan  90  is mounted on the circular top element  87  of the fan module  80 . The fan  90  mounting means is shown in more detail in  FIG. 3A . 
         [0035]    The fan module  80  includes a pressure differential monometer meter, or other pressure differential monitoring unit, (best seen in  FIG. 5 ) which may read, record and transmit the pressure differentials at each of, or through all of, the filtration modules  21 . As the contaminated air becomes remediated, the filters and scrubbers become filled with the materials which are removed from the contaminated air. This would be detected by the pressure differential monometer as an increase in the pressure difference between one of, or all of the filtration modules  21 . This indicates that one of, two of, or all of the filtration modules  21  will require replacement in order to maintain the filtration module(s)  21  efficiency. Replacement of the modules is very easy, as they are held together by quick release attachment means  12  and  13 . The portable odor scrubber system  10  may be pulled out of the manhole allowing access to the filtration modules  21  which are to be replaced. Once the quick release attachment means  12  and  13  are opened, the old filtration modules  21  are removed and replaced by a new set of filtration modules  21 , and the quick release attachment means  12  and  13  would be closed securing the new filtration modules  21  on the portable odor scrubber system  10 . The portable odor scrubber system  10  would then be placed back down the manhole. The replaced filtration modules  21  may be disposed of, recycled or refurbished for further use. It has further been considered possible that the filtration modules  21  may be replaced in situ, when such an operation is possible and advisable. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 3A , the top  87  of the fan module  80  is shown. Fan  90  is shown affixed to the top  87  of fan module  80  by a plurality of mechanical fasteners  96 . Other fastening means may be employed to secure the fan  90  in position. Centrally located through the fan  90  is an exhaust flute  105  through which the remediated air passes on its way to the surface environment. The sensor module  24  is connected to the hydrogen sulfide sensor  92  by connecting element  25 . Connecting element  25  permits a signal to be sent from the hydrogen sulfide sensor  92  to the sensor module  24  when it detects the presence of a certain level of hydrogen sulfide gas. When the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas is detected above a certain preselected level, the fan  90  is automatically turned on until the levels of the gas return to a safe level. 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 4A , both a cut away side view and a top view of the power module  100  is shown respectfully. The power module  100  is also cylindrical, and a circular top  102  and circular bottom  104 . The power module  100  is affixed to the top of the fan module  87  by another pair of quick release attachment means,  14  and  15  respectively. An exhaust flute  105  forms an air pathway directly from the exit of fan  90  to the outside environment. Covering the exhaust flute  105  on the top  102  is screen  125 . An AC electrical inlet  115  is provided. The AC electrical inlet  115  is connected to a converter box  120 . The converter box  120  converts alternating current to direct current and is used to recharge the battery  110 . The battery  110  then would power the fan  90 , the on-board sensors, microprocessor and control systems, data monitoring and storage systems, as well as a communication module which transmits sensor readings, data, and status of the modules and systems of the portable odor scrubber system  10  to a remote monitoring station. The communication module on the portable odor scrubber system  10  can also receive instructions, commands, and other interrogatory signals from the remote monitoring station. The interrogator signals would query the status of on-board sensors and systems. By use of the remote communication capability one may ascertain if the portable odor scrubber system  10  is functioning properly, requires maintenance of sensors or systems, replacement of filter modules as well as a host of other information. The portable odor scrubber system  10  would also have the capacity to contact the remote monitoring station should there be any functional difficulties with systems or sensors, filter replacement, or power difficulties. 
         [0038]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram of the control systems, communication systems, sensor systems and data storage systems of the portable odor scrubber system  10 . The lines between each of the blocks of the diagram indicate inter-connection of the devices as well as the ability to communicate or send signals throughout the communication, control, sensors and other elements of the invention. The charger  115  is connected to the power converter module  120 . This permits alternating current to be converted to direct current in order to charge the battery  110 . In the case where a solar panel is deployed as an alternate power source, the battery  110  may be charged directly from the solar panel. A battery sensor  150  is provided to detect the condition and charge of the battery  110 . If the charge of the battery  110  is running low, the controller  200  would command that the battery  110  be charged by the aforementioned systems, or communicate through data transmitter/transceiver  220  to a remote off site monitoring station  230  (which also includes a transmitter/transceiver) the portable odor scrubber system  10  requires battery  110  maintenance and could alert an appropriate authority to go on-site to repair or recharge the battery  110 . A pressure sensor-filter monitor  160  is connected to the controller  200 . The pressure sensor-filter monitor  160  may include a pressure differential monometer meter which would monitor the pressure differential from the entry to the exit of the combined air filtration modules  21 . As the combined air filtration module  21  removes the contaminants from the contaminated air, they begin to lose their efficiency as the contaminants clog the path and exhaust the chemical scrubbing agents. Once the pressure differential reaches a preselected level, a signal will be sent to the controller  200 , which would communicate this information through the data transmitter/transceiver  220  to the to a remote off site monitoring station  230  that the portable odor scrubber system  10  requires filter/scrubber module  21  maintenance or replacement and could alert an appropriate authority to go on-site to conduct such activities. 
         [0039]    A gas sensor pump  155  obtains a sample of the downhole air which is passed to a gas sensor  92 . The gas sensor  92  may detect hydrogen sulfide, or depending on the specific application, some other gas. When the gas sensor  92  detects gas above a preset value, the gas sensor  82  sends a signal to the controller  200  which would actuate the fan  90 . At this point, due to the action of the fan  90 , contaminated air is pulled up through the vent holes  18  at the bottom of the air filtration modules  21 , and remediation of the contaminated air begins to take place. Once, the remediated air leaves the air filtration modules  21  it is exhausted through exhaust flute  105  to the outside environment. The gas sensor pump  155  will continue to sample the downhole contaminated air and if and when a point is reached, where the gas sensor  92  indicates that the level of contamination has is no longer above a preset value, a signal will be sent to the controller  200  to turn the fan  90  off. This has the advantage of not running the fan  90  continuously, increasing its duty life, as well as reducing the power requirements on the battery  110 . By not continuously running the fan  90 , the filter and scrubber media located internally in the air filtration monitors  21  may also have an increased lifespan. Other devices may be employed to sample the downhole contaminated gasses such as a solenoid valve or a air pump. 
         [0040]    A data storage device  210  is also provided connected to the microprocessor/controller  200  and through that element to the rest of the control systems, communication systems, and sensor systems to permit logging of data which are generated by those systems for information gathering purposes. 
         [0041]    The communications and data transmission element (transmitter/transceiver)  220  located on the portable odor scrubber system  10  is in communication by any wireless method  240  to an offsite transmitter/transceiver  230  and monitoring station. Data and signals may be sent from data transmission element (transmitter/transceiver)  220  to the offsite transmitter/transceiver  230  according to a preset schedule or when pre-programmed conditions are met in the controller of the portable odor scrubber system  10 . Additionally, interrogatory signals may be sent from the offsite monitoring station to the portable odor scrubber system  10 , inquiring as to the status of any of the systems which are being monitored by the plurality of sensors onboard. The data storage device  210  may store any salient information, time when the fan  90  is on or off, average time for filter/scrubber replacement and any of a variety of other metrics. This would enable the operators to predict when maintenance may need to be performed, especially on an odor scrubber system that remains in one location for a period of time. 
         [0042]    It can clearly be seen in  FIG. 5 , that the charger  115 , the power converter module  120 , the battery  110 , the battery sensor  160 , the pressure sensor/filter monitor  160 , the gas sensor  92 , the gas sensor pump  155 , the fan  90 , the data storage  210 , the microprocessor/controller  200  and the data transmitter/communications module  220 , the data transmitter/communications module antenna  222 , are all interconnected by one path or another, permitting signals to be sent from any of the above components to any other of the above components, the signals causing the any of the above elements to perform their function. Additionally, the offsite external transceiver  230  and the offsite external transceiver antenna  232  through any wireless method  240  possesses the same capabilities, except from a remote location. 
         [0043]    It is to be understood that the preceding is merely a detailed description of the invention, and that alterations to the disclosed invention can be made in accordance with the disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The preceding description is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is to be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents.