Key odorant identification and odor treatment technology evaluation during the chemical synthesis process of typical pesticide

Abstract

Odor pollution has become one of the important environmental problems in China. In this study, Gas Chromatography Ion Mobility Spectrometry (GC-IMS), Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) and Flame Ionization Detector (FID) were combined to obtain comprehensive information of the odor produced during the production of Captan, a common pesticide, and to evaluate the efficiency of the odorant treatment techniques utilized by the manufacturer studied. Based on our findings, refining, an important phase during the production process of Captan, was found to be the most important factor in determining the type and the concentration of the odorant produced. Of the odorants found during the production process, perchloromethylmercaptan (CCl3SCl) and other chlorine-containing compounds are the key odorants during the production process based on the calculation of odor activity value (OAV). The current odorant treatment utilized by the manufacturer studied showed about 40 % removal rate. However, the odorant treatment produced a new odorant, dimethyl disulfide. Therefore, a much more targeted odorant treatment technique without the production of new odorants is desired and should be utilized.