VOC Emissions Control from Industrial and Commercial Sources Dr. Miriam Lev-On The LEVON Group, LLC SP7: Current Control Strategies for Industrial Emissions BAQ 2006, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, December 2006

Outline  Why Control VOCs ?  What are the trends of VOC Emissions?  How can we control VOCs and Air Toxics ? Large Stationary Sources Small Urban and Commercial Sources  Examples  Summary

Why control VOCs ?  VOCs are precursors to Ozone (smog) formation Ozone is readily formed in the atmosphere by the reaction of VOCs and NOx in the presence of sunlight  VOCs are a blend of hundreds of volatile organic compounds some of which are chemically reactive, Examples: ethylene, propylene, formaldehyde, xylene  Some of the VOCs are known Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs), or Air Toxics Examples: benzene, toluene, perchlorethlyene, methylene chloride

What are the Primary VOC Emitters?  VOCs are emitted from a variety of sources, motor vehicles, chemical plants, refineries, other industries, consumer and commercial products, architectural coatings, natural (biogenic) sources. Typical allocation for man-made sources - Specifics will vary by location

U.S. VOC Emissions Trend ( ) Source: USEPA Trends Report, 2005

UK VOC Emissions Trends (1970 – 2002)

Asia VOC Emission Trends by Country Source: WRI Earth Trends Data

Sources of VOC Emissions (1995) Source: IIASA, 2004, RAINS simulation

VOC Emission Trends and Projections in East Asia (Mt VOC) Source: IIASA, 2004, RAINS simulation

Hierarchy of Emission Control Strategies  Reduce the volume, or eliminate emissions, of volatile organics including toxics by process changes, substitution of materials, or other modifications ;  Enclose systems or processes to eliminate emissions;  Collect, capture, or treat these pollutants when released from a process vent, stack, storage, or fugitive emissions sources;  Design equipment, implement work practice, or operational standards requirements for operator training or certification

Stationary Source Controls SourcesIFC Recommended Techniques (*) Fugitive emissions from Process Equipment Leaks  Design modification, new process components  Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR)  Pressure balancing during cargo loading Handling of chemicals in open vats and mixing processes  Substitution of less volatile substances  Storage of materials with specially fitted roofs  Collection of vapors through air extractors with possible treatment with selected devices Collection of VOCs and treatment by destructive devices  Catalytic incinerators of exhaust gases exiting paint spray booths, ovens, and other process operations  Thermal Incineration of gas stream at 700 º to 1,300 º C  Enclosed Oxidizing flares that are used to convert VOCs into CO 2 and H 2 O by way of direct combustion (*) IFC Draft General EH&S Guideline, September 2006

Example: Korea ’ s Paint VOC Content Standard  The Korean standard for VOC in paint went into effect in July 2005  The standard calls for low- VOC, eco-friendly paint, containing 5-7% less VOCs  The standard applies to paint for construction and for cars, Accounts for ~41% of total VOC emissions in the metropolitan areas The new standard is expected to reduce 8,000 tons of VOCs in 2006

Example: VOC content in Adidas Footwear Manufacturing  Corporate Commitment since 2000 to reduce VOC emissions in footwear factories in Asia due to solvents used in manufacturing process  Target: an average of 20 grams/pair of shoes  Footwear suppliers have reduced VOC emissions from 140 grams/pair in 2000 to 20.5 grams/pair in 2005  Graphical depiction of monthly average for supplier from China, Vietnam and Indonesia (~ 95% of supply)

Summary  It is important to reduce VOC emissions in order to minimize smog formation and population exposure to potentially toxic compounds,  It takes political will as well as technical know-how to develop VOC reduction measures that are appropriate for the myriad of sources - large and small,  Product reformulation and emission containment have proven to be the most successful VOC reduction strategies,  The Air & Waste Management Association is in a position to help by providing technical information exchange; training courses; engineering manuals; and specialty conferences