Measured and estimated benzene and volatile organic carbon (VOC) emissions at a major U.S. refinery/chemical plant: Comparison and prioritization

CATEGORY: BENZENE
Measured and estimated benzene and volatile organic carbon (VOC) emissions at a major U.S. refinery/chemical plant: Comparison and prioritization

Type	Journal Article
Author	Daniel Hoyt
Author	Loren H. Raun
URL	http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10962247.2015.1058304
Volume	65
Issue	8
Pages	1020-1031
Publication	Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association
Date	August 3, 2015
Abstract	Estimates of emissions for processes and point sources at petroleum refineries and chemical plants are the basis environmental evaluations and policy decisions. Conventional methods result in unreliable estimates. More information on actual emissions within a facility is necessary to provide a foundation for improving emission factors and prioritizing which emission factors most need improvement. Accordingly, researchers measured and compared benzene and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions within a major chemical plant/refinery with emission factor estimates. Study results suggest that estimated emissions were never higher and often were lower than the measured emissions. The study presents empirical data demonstrating the need to validate and improve emission factors. Emission factors needing improvement are prioritized by identifying those that are weak models and introduce the largest error in magnitude of emissions. The results can also be used to prioritize evaluations of the emissions sources and controls, and any operational conditions or erroneous assumptions that may be contributing to the error.Implications: