Experimental Development of a VOC Emission Factor for a NESHAP Compliant Paint Stripping Material (When MSDS Information Material Balances are not Sufficient)

摘要

The purpose of this aerospace compliant stripper emission evaluation was to develop a volatile organic carbon (VOC) emission factor for chemical stripping of paints from aircraft at a military base. The current emission factor for the stripper was provided by the stripper manufacturer and assumed 25% of the weight of the stripper used was emitted as a VOC. The manufacturer derived the emission factor from evaporation studies conducted on the stripper. The results from this type of test tells us how much material evaporates, not the amount of volatile organics emitted. Corrections to the evaporation results for water and peroxide content of the stripper can be made, but this does not account for the potential oxidation and evaporation of non-volatile organics. It also does not account for the organic portion of the evaporative emissions with respect to the normal stripper usage timeline. Complete evaporation to dryness does not occur during normal use of the stripper. Ideally, the stripper material needed to be tested while stripping a painted surface under controlled environmental conditions, with constant monitoring of the weight loss and the VOC concentration of the vapor from the stripping process. A laboratory bench scale test was conducted on the stripper applied to painted aluminum aircraft panels. Results of the bench scale stripper tests were used to derive an emission factor for the stripper. The emissions from the activity were measured by EPA Method 25A for total hydrocarbons (THC). Total hydrocarbons emissions as measured by EPA Method 25A are often used to represent Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions, especially with mixtures of organic emissions. This emission factor evaluation produces a lower emission factor than the original assumptions. This may be important to sources when completing emission reports to regulatory agencies, when paying fees on those emissions, and when considering sources which may be included in control technology considerations for non-attainment area planning.