Source Profile of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) of a Petrochemical Industry in the Yangtze River Delta, China

Abstract

The profiles of major volatile organic compound (VOC) sources in petrochemical industry of the Yangtze river delta, China, were experimentally determined. Source samples were taken using summa canister near the petrochemical units. The concentrations of 72 VOC species were quantified using canister sampling and a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry system, and VOC source profiles were developed for source apportionment of VOCs. Based on the measurement of source profiles, possible tracers for various emission sources were identified; The VOCs emitted from the whole refinery were characteristic by aromatic (43.2%), alkane (27.7%), halonhydrocarbon (21.2%) and oxygenated VOCs(7.3%). And the obvious differences in VOCs chemical profiles among four main sectors (Petroleum refining, Olefin refining, Aromatic refining and Wastewater treatment sectors). Petroleum refining with the higher proportions of C3-C10 alkanes, Olefin refining with the higher proportions of BTX(benzene, toluene, m,p-xylene). and C2-C4 alkenes. Aromatic refining with the higher proportions of BTX(benzene, toluene, m,p-xylene), wastewater treatment with the higher proportions of BTX (benzene, toluene, m,p-xylene), and part halonhydrocarbon and oxygenated VOCs were also its characteristic compounds .