Determination of Volatile Organic Profiles and Photochemical Potentials from Chemical Manufacture Process Vents

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to monitor the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the stack gas released from organic chemical industrial plants to determine emission factors. Samples from 52 stacks, with or without air pollution control devices (APCDs), from seven industrial processes were taken and VOCs measured using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Method 18. These 7 processes, including 26 plants, were the manufacturers of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), acrylic resin (ACR), vinyl chloride (VC), para-terephthalic acid (PTA), and synthetic fiber (SYF). The results clearly indicate significant variations of emission factors among the various industrial processes, particularly emission factors for those without APCDs. As expected, those with APCDs yield much less emission factors. Regardless of those with or without APCDs, the order of manufacturing processes with regard to VOC emission factors is SYF > ABS > PS >ACR > PTA > PVC > VC. The emission factors for some processes also differ from those in EPA-42 data file. The VOC profiles further indicate that some VOCs are not listed in the U.S. VOC/Particulate Matter Speciation Data System (SPECIATE). The potential O3 formation is determined from the total amount of VOC emitted for each of seven processes. The resultant O3 yield varied from 0.22 (ACR) to 2.33 g O3 g(-1) VOC (PTA). The significance of this O3 yield is discussed.

Determination of volatile organic compounds in industrial wastewater plant air emissions by multi-sorbent adsorption and thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

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Mesophilic and thermophilic biofiltration of gaseous toluene in a long-term operation: Performance evaluation, biomass accumulation, mass balance analysis and isolation identification

“…Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are common air pollutants found in industrial air emissions such as from chemical manufacturing plants and various hazardous sites [1]. Most of those compounds are harmful to human health and cause severe environmental problems [2].…”

Advantages of combined UV photodegradation and biofiltration processes to treat gaseous chlorobenzene

“…Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as aromatics, are common air pollutants found in industrial air emissions, such as from chemical manufacturing plants and various hazardous sites [1]. Most of these compounds are harmful to human health and cause severe environmental problems [2].…”