VOC Emissions: Influence of VOC Measurement and Reporting Methods on Regulatory Policy and Emissions Estimations

摘要

Individual pollutant emissions from a wide variety of industrial processes are measured by a limited number of source sampling methods. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) present a particularly unique testing dilemma since there are a large number of different compounds defined as VOCs. The process of accurately and consistently measuring the quantity of total VOCs emitted is a concern to both industry and regulatory agencies. The most commonly used methods for quantifying VOCs in gas streams are in the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR 60) Appendix A, Methods 18, 25, and 25A. Each method has advantages and disadvantages relative to the other methods. The choice of measurement and reporting techniques depends on the purpose that the data will serve. Due to differing analytical limitations for each of the VOC test methods, all sources may not be able to use the same test method and data manipulation procedures.