A review of whole-process control of industrial volatile organic compounds in China

J Environ Sci (China). 2023 Jan:123:127-139. doi: 10.1016/j.jes.2022.02.037. Epub 2022 Mar 7.

Abstract

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play an important role in the formation of ground-level ozone and secondary organic aerosol (SOA), and they have been key issues in current air pollution prevention and control in China. Considerable attention has been paid to industrial activities due to their large and relatively complex VOCs emissions. The present research aims to provide a comprehensive review on whole-process control of industrial VOCs, which mainly includes source reduction, collection enhancement and end-pipe treatments. Lower VOCs materials including water-borne ones are the keys to source substitution in industries related to coating and solvent usage, leak detection and repair (LDAR) should be regarded as an efficient means of source reduction in refining, petrochemical and other chemical industries. Several types of VOCs collection methods such as gas-collecting hoods, airtight partitions and others are discussed, and airtight collection at negative pressure yields the best collection efficiency. Current end-pipe treatments like UV oxidation, low-temperature plasma, activated carbon adsorption, combustion, biodegradation, and adsorption-combustion are discussed in detail. Finally, several recommendations are made for future advanced treatment and policy development in industrial VOCs emission control.

Keywords: Collection enhancement; End-pipe treatments; Materials substitution; Volatile organic compounds.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants* / analysis
  • China
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Ozone* / analysis
  • Volatile Organic Compounds* / analysis

Substances

  • Volatile Organic Compounds
  • Air Pollutants
  • Ozone