Aromatics global emission

One of the major uses of activated carbon is in the recovery of solvents from industrial process effluents. Dry cleaning, paints, adhesives, polymer manufacturing, and printing are some examples. Since, as a result of the highly volatile character of many solvents, they cannot be emitted directly into the atmosphere. Typical solvents recovered by active carbon are acetone, benzene, ethanol, ethyl ether, pentane, methylene chloride, tetrahydrofuran, toluene, xylene, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and other aromatic compounds [78], Besides, automotive emissions make a large contribution to urban and global air pollution. Some VOCs and other air contaminants are emitted by automobiles through the exhaust system and also by the fuel system, and activated carbons are used to control these emissions [77,78],... 

Estimates for emissions from anthropogenic sources of hydrocarbons fall in the range 70-180 Tg yr . Three types of sources are most important The production of liquid fuels from petroleum and road traffic contributes about 54% in developed countries and 36% worldwide. Solvent use adds another 15%. The third major source is biomass burning, which contributes 34% on a global scale (16% in developed countries). About 45%of the emissions are alkanes, 35% are alkenes, and 17% are aromatic compounds. 

Toluene is a representative example of aromatic compounds investigated due to its extensive use in industrial processes as solvent or as feedstock for the production of polymers or adhesives, but also due to its existence in petroleum-derived fuels. In a close relation, catalytic total oxidation takes into consideration the serious environmental concern generated by its perilous health effects but also by its contribution to global warming smog processes as a result of the emission of toluene from both stationary and mobile sources. 

Zhang, Y, Tao, S., 2009. Global atmospheric emission inventory of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) for 2004. Atmos. Environ. 43, 812-819. 

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