Correlation between the Concentration of Aromatic Hydrocarbons and BaP from Coke Oven Fugitive Emissions in Shanxi, China

Zhen Li,Ling Mu,Xiao-Feng Liu,Hui-Ling Bai,Lin Peng,Bin Du

doi:10.4209/aaqr.2011.11.0190

Zhen Li, Ling Mu + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2011.11.0190

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Abstract

Most aromatic hydrocarbons are considered to be carcinogenic. Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is known to be a strong carcinogen which is typically found in coke plant emissions. When the waste gas finally exits through an exhaust funnel, some of this is emitted directly from leaks in the coke oven or flue. Authorities in Shanxi attempted to develop a real-time monitoring system for BaP in coke oven fugitive emissions. In order to obtain the BaP concentration in an easy and timely fashion, a new approach was used to get it indirectly. To investigate the relation between the BaP concentration and total aromatic hydrocarbon concentration, all samples were analyzed by GC/MS. The results showed that the total BaP concentration is significantly correlated with the concentration of particulate-phase aromatic hydrocarbons, and the Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.740. The results of the correlation analysis indicated that the BaP concentration may be predicted based on the aromatic hydrocarbon concentration. A linear regression model was thus established to estimate the BaP concentration. The relationship between the concentrations of BaP and aromatic hydrocarbons was found by curve fitting, and is 0.197ln(aromatic hydrocarbons) + 3.405 = ln(BaP). The findings may be applied to a real-time monitoring system for BaP in fugitive emissions.

Highlights

An aromatic hydrocarbon is a hydrocarbon with alternating double and single bonds between carbon atoms
The results showed that the total BaP concentration is significantly correlated with the concentration of particulate-phase aromatic hydrocarbons, and the Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.740
The particulate matters were sampled by glass fiber filtration membrane (TFAGF810: 8'' × 10'' New York, USA) and the gas phase was sampled by polyurethane foam plug (No.TPUF3: 2.5'' × 3'' New York, USA)

Summary

Introduction

An aromatic hydrocarbon is a hydrocarbon with alternating double and single bonds between carbon atoms. It contains monocyclic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. The toxicity, carcinogenicity and mutagenicity of aromatic hydrocarbon have led to increased concerns about human health. The benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is the best known for serious carcinogenicity and toxicity (Kirton et al, 1991; Zhu and Matsushita, 1997; Pufulete et al, 2004; OkonaMensah et al, 2005; Cheng et al, 2010). Occupational exposure to BaP has been associated with lung, skin and bladder cancers of humans (Menzie et al, 1992; Boffetta et al, 1997; Aries et al, 2008; Olsson et al, 2010)

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