Analysis of Volatile Organic Compounds in the Ambient Air of a Paper Mill- A Case Study

Abstract

In this work, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the ambient air of a secondary fiber paper mill were analyzed. For the sake of studying pollution comprehensively, four sites in the paper mill were analyzed and active sampling methods were used. Desorption was carried out with two solvents, carbon disulfide and dichloromethane. The compositions of VOCs were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method. The main identified substances in the four sites were as follows: (1) waste paper sorting room: alkanes, phenols, and esters; (2) papermaking workshop: benzene series, alkanes, ethers, and phenols; (3) vacuum pump outlet: benzene series and phenols; and (4) office area: benzene series and phenols. Two main toxic substances in VOCs, the benzene series and phenols, were detected in the ambient air of the paper mill. The benzene series existed in three places along the main process of the paper mill and even existed in the office area, which was far away from the production line. Additionally, phenols were detected in all sampling locations in the paper mill.

Characteristics of VOC Composition at Urban and Suburban Sites of New Delhi, India in Winter

“…It can be noticed that the industrial units of PVC, iron and steel, paper, machinery, gas power, sewage plants, and so forth, are situated north of the suburban site (Figure 1). Several studies have reported that BTEX and acetaldehyde are emitted in significant amounts from PVC, paper mills, coal power plants, landfill, and cement industries (Dave et al., 2020; Evans, 2009; Garcia et al., 1992; Liu et al., 2019; Scott et al., 2020; Tong et al., 2015). In addition, the emission from sewage treatment plants can also be a source of toluene, benzene, xylene, acetone, acetaldehyde and methanol (Byliński et al., 2019; Quigley & Corsi, 1995; Yang et al., 2012).…”

The effects of water, substrate, and intermediate adsorption on the photocatalytic decomposition of air pollutants over nano-TiO2 photocatalysts

“…1 VOCs, such as formaldehyde (HCHO, mainly produced from the alkali recovery outlet) and benzene (C 6 H 6 ), and TRS, such as hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S, mainly released from the black liquor evaporation port), greatly exceed the prescribed emission standards, especially in the air environment of paper mills containing a pulping section. [2][3][4][5] These air contaminants can cause cardiovascular and respiratory diseases or even cancer. 6,7 Several strategies are employed to control the release of air contaminants; particularly, photocatalysis holds promise in decomposing air contaminants adsorbed on the photocatalyst surface into non-toxic CO 2 and H 2 O using oxidizing species (e.g., hydroxyl radicals), which are produced when the photocatalyst absorbs luminous energy exceeding its bandgap.…”

“…1 VOCs, such as formaldehyde (HCHO, mainly produced from the alkali recovery outlet) and benzene (C 6 H 6 ), and TRS, such as hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S, mainly released from the black liquor evaporation port), greatly exceed the prescribed emission standards, especially in the air environment of paper mills containing a pulping section. 2–5 These air contaminants can cause cardiovascular and respiratory diseases or even cancer. 6,7…”