Location and characterization of VOC emissions at a petrochemical plant in Taiwan

Abstract

This research aimed to locate and characterize emission sources for airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs) inside a petrochemical plant in Chiayi, Taiwan. Air was sampled with canisters at 20 sites inside this plant, twice per quarter, and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry following the TO-14 method. Data were interpreted by means of a database and contour maps. Alkanes were most abundant species, followed by aromatics, and both accounted for 98% of total airborne VOCs. Two emission sources were located around the filling unit and the aromatic unit. The characterization of VOCs from emission sources were elucidated in table after cross-analyzing and statistical calculation using Microsoft Excel. Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.