Comprehensive Evaluation of Odor-Causing VOCs from the Painting Process of the Automobile Manufacturing Industry and Its Sustainable Management
Issued Date
2022-09-01
Resource Type
eISSN
20734433
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85138689476
Journal Title
Atmosphere
Volume
13
Issue
9
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Atmosphere Vol.13 No.9 (2022)
Suggested Citation
Kultan V., Thepanondh S., Pinthong N., Keawboonchu J., Robson M. Comprehensive Evaluation of Odor-Causing VOCs from the Painting Process of the Automobile Manufacturing Industry and Its Sustainable Management. Atmosphere Vol.13 No.9 (2022). doi:10.3390/atmos13091515 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/84678
Title
Comprehensive Evaluation of Odor-Causing VOCs from the Painting Process of the Automobile Manufacturing Industry and Its Sustainable Management
Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Automotive manufacturing is one of the potential sources of air pollution particularly involving volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This study intensively evaluated VOC emissions and their dispersion from the industry. The measured VOCs were speciated for further evaluation of their odor threats according to the characteristics of each compound. Mathematical emission and air dispersion models were applied to assist in elaborating the source–receptor relationship allowing the determining of existing business-as-usual conditions with proposed mitigation measures to manage the pollution of the factory studied in this paper. Seven VOC species potentially caused odor problems to the surrounding community, including 1-butanol, ethyl benzene, toluene, m,p xylene, o xylene, methyl ethyl ketone, and methyl isobutyl ketone. The results from the AERMOD dispersion model revealed that the smell from these chemicals could reach up to about 800 m from the source. Analysis of mitigation measures indicated that two interesting scenarios should be considered according to their effectiveness. The concentrations of VOCs can decrease by up to 4.7, 14.0 and 24.9% from increasing the physical stack height by +1, +3 and +5 m from its existing height, respectively. Modification of the aeration tank of the wastewater treatment unit to a closed system also helped to reduce about 27.8% of emissions resulting in about a 27.6% decreased ambient air concentration. This study provided useful information on the characteristics of VOCs emitted by the automobile manufacturing industry. It also demonstrated the relevant procedures and highlights the necessity to comprehensively analyze the source–receptor relationship to evaluate the most appropriate measures in managing industrial air pollution.