Volatile organic carbons sources

Autocatalysts, based on monoliths, are probably the most extensively used catalytic reactors around a hundred million have been installed and are performing well in car exhaust systems [10-12]. Reduction of volatile organic carbon (VOC) emissions [13] and removal of NOj, from stationary sources [14, 15] are also... 

Finally, open ponds used to cool, settle out solids, and store process water can be a significant source of volatile organic carbon emissions. Wastewater from coke cooling and coke volatile organic carbon removal is occasionally cooled in open ponds where volatile organic carbon easily escapes to the atmosphere. In many cases, open ponds can be replaced by closed storage tanks. 

Rudolph, J., Biogenic Sources of Atmospheric Alkenes and Acetylene, in Biogenic Volatile Organic Carbon Compounds in the Atmosphere (G. Helas, J. Slanina, and R. Steinbrecher, Eds.), pp. 53-65, SPB Academic Publishing, Amsterdam, f997. 

Stoddard solvent may be released to the atmosphere in the exhaust emissions of dry cleaning plants. Emissions from one plant were determined to be 2,100 ppm (measured as propane) (EPA 1980). Fugitive emissions from other industrial or domestic uses (such as incompletely sealed or punctured barrels) may contribute to levels of Stoddard solvent in the environment, including contributions to general levels of volatile organic carbon. In addition, surface water contamination may occur as a result of direct spills of Stoddard solvent onto surface waters, runoff from spills to soil with subsequent transmission to nearby water sources, or from improper disposal, such as pouring Stoddard solvent down drains. Accidental spills of Stoddard solvent to various media are reported to the Emergency Response Notification System (ERNS) maintained by EPA. Total spill data for Stoddard solvent are ... 

Potable Water Treatment. Treatment of drinking water accounts for about 24% of the total activated carbon used in Hquid-phase apphcations (74). Rivers, lakes, and groundwater from weUs, the most common drinking water sources, are often contaminated with bacteria, vimses, natural vegetation decay products, halogenated materials, and volatile organic compounds. Normal water disinfection and filtration treatment steps remove or destroy the bulk of these materials (75). However, treatment by activated carbon is an important additional step in many plants to remove toxic and other organic materials (76—78) for safety and palatability. 

Human-made sources cover a wide spectrum of chemical and physical activities and are the major contributors to urban air pollution. Air pollutants in the United States pour out from over 10 million vehicles, the refuse of over 250 million people, the generation of billions of kilowatts of electricity, and the production of innumerable products demanded by eveiyday living. Hundreds of millions of tons of air pollutants are generated annu ly in the United States alone. The five main classes of pollutants are particulates, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and carbon monoxide. Total emissions in the United States are summarized by source categoiy for the year 1993 in Table 25-10. 

Source category Particulate (PM-10) Sulfur dioxide Nitrogen oxides Volatile organic compounds Carbon monoxide... 

An extensive source of natural pollutants is the plants and trees of the earth. Even though these green plants play a large part in the conversion of carbon dioxide to oxygen through photosynthesis, they are still the major source of hydrocarbons on the planet. The familiar blue haze over forested areas is nearly all from the atmospheric reactions of the volatile organics... 

Within 6 months after enactment of the Qean Air Act Amendments of 1990, and at least every 3 years thereafter, the Administrator shall review and, if necessary, revise, the methods ( emission factors ) used for purposes of this Act to estimate the quantity of emissions of carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and oxides of nitrogen from sources of such air pollutants (including area sources and mobile sources). In addition, the Administrator shall permit any person to demonstrate improved emissions estimating techniques, and following approval of such techniques, the Administrator shall authorise the use of such techniques. Any such technique may be approved only after appropriate public participation. Until the Administrator has completed the revision required by this section, nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the validity of emission factors established by the Administrator before the date of the enactment of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. 

Emissions to the atmosphere from ammonia plants include sulfur dioxide (SOj), nitrogen oxides (NOJ, carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (COj), hydrogen sulfide (HjS), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter, methane, hydrogen cyanide, and ammonia. The two primary sources of pollutants, with typical reported values, in kilograms per ton (kg/t) for the important pollutants, are as follows ... 

Organic Compounds Chemicals that contain carbon. Volatile organic compounds vaporize at room temperature and pressure. They are found in many indoor sources, including many common household products and building materials. 

Besides nitrogen fixation, the only other major source of reduced nitrogen is the decomposition of soil or aquatic organic matter. This process is called ammonification. Heterotrophic bacteria are principally responsible for this. These organisms utilize organic compounds from dead plant or animal matter as a carbon source, and leave behind NH3 and NHJ, which can then be recycled by the biosphere. In some instances heterotrophic bacteria may incorporate a complete organic molecule into their own biomass. The majority of the NH3 produced in this way stays within the biosphere however, a small portion of it will be volatilized. In addition to this source, the breakdown of animal excreta also contributes to atmospheric... 

The process of coke making emits particulate matters, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide, and other pollutants. The various sources of emissions include the following ... 

Char from a variety of sources, including coal, is used to produce activated carbon. The two most important uses for activated carbon are for water and wastewater treatment and decolorization. Other uses for activated carbon include the capture of pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and pesticide residues from industrial waste streams. 

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