BTEX Emissions in the Logistics of Middle Distillates: Diesel Oil

Abstract

Besides technological processes; logistics; and the use of petrol and light solvents, which are widely known as pollutants, the sources of BTEX hydrocarbon contributing to air pollution may also include other petroleum products and fuels that feature higher boiling points and that have not yet been associated with this issue. In this study, the contents of benzene; toluene; ethylbenzene; and o-, m-, and p-xylene were evaluated in 25 commercial samples of diesel oils; the gaseous phase in thermodynamic equilibrium with liquid diesel oil at 40 °C was then evaluated. Based on the experimental results, it was found that benzene concentration in the gaseous phase is five to more than fifteen times higher than the limits set by regulations for benzene concentration in the air at a work place (1.6 mg/m3) and cannot be compared with the limits set by regulations for annual average basal levels of benzene concentration in the air (5 µg/m3). The research revealed that diesel oil is a potential source of environmental contamination from BTEX hydrocarbons, in particular benzene.