TITLE:
Volatile Organic Compound Emissions from Surface Coating Facilities: Characterization of Facilities, Estimation of Emission Rates, and Dispersion Modeling of Off-Site Impacts
AUTHORS:
Annabrabha Athappan, Sulak Sumitsawan, Roja Haritha Gangupomu, Ketwalee Kositkanawuth, Parthen Parikh, Benjamin Afotey, Neelesh Sule, Sahithi Raj Kalidindi, Melanie L. Sattler, Yvette Pearson Weatherton
KEYWORDS:
Volatile Organic Compounds; Hazardous Air Pollutants; Surface Coating Facilities; Emissions; Dispersion Modeling
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Environmental Protection,
Vol.4 No.8A,
August
12,
2013
ABSTRACT: Surface coating
facilities are major sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in urban
areas. These VOCs can contribute to ground-level ozone formation, and many are
hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), including xylene, ethylbenzene, and toluene.
This project was conducted in order to provide information for updating the
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), USA, permit by rule for Surface Coating
Facilities. Project objectives were: 1) To develop a database of information
regarding surface coating facilities in Texas; 2) To estimate maximum emission rates for
various VOC species from surface coating facilities in Texas; 3) To conduct dispersion modeling to
estimate off-site impacts from surface coating facilities. The database was developed using 286
TCEQ permit files authorizing surface coating facilities in Texas during 2006 and 2007. The database was
designed to include information important for estimating emission rates, and
for using as inputs to the dispersion model. Hourly and annual emissions of
volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM), and exempt solvents
(ES) were calculated for each permitted entity/ company in the database, according to
equations given by TCEQ. Dispersion modeling was then conducted for 3 facility
configurations (worst-case stack height, good practice stack height, and
fugitive emissions), for urban and rural dispersion parameters, for 8-hour and
24-hour operating scenarios, and for 1-hour, 24-hour, and annual averaging
times, for a total of 36 scenarios. The highest modeled concentrations were for
the worst-case stack height, rural dispersion parameters, 24-hour operation
scenario, and 1-hour averaging time. 108 specific chemical species, which are
components of surface coatings, were identified as candidates for further
health impacts review.