Linking VOC assessment and cost-effectiveness for emission management in petroleum and petrochemical industrial estate

Abstract

Managing volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions in industrial complexes requires clear links between emission sources, atmospheric dispersion, and their contributions to ambient exposure. This study links VOC assessment and cost-effectiveness analysis to support emission management in a petroleum and petrochemical industrial estate in Thailand. Annual emissions were estimated at 12,465 kg for benzene and 1,337 kg for 1,3-butadiene, with storage tanks dominating benzene releases (54.42%) and wastewater treatment systems governing 1,3-butadiene emissions (62.50%). Atmospheric dispersion modeling using AERMOD indicated compliance with Thai ambient air quality standards at all public-access receptors, with predicted concentrations below 1.7 µg/m³ for benzene and 0.33 µg/m³ for 1,3-butadiene, although elevated concentrations occurred near emission sources. Source apportionment revealed that storage infrastructure contributed 81–97% of ambient benzene concentrations at critical receptors, while wastewater treatment systems accounted for 74–76% of 1,3-butadiene exposure. Cost-effectiveness indicators and investment appraisal metrics were applied to evaluate emission control options. Lower-capital interventions were consistently prioritized. Activated carbon vapor recovery achieved a 95% reduction in benzene emissions, while hard-pipe wastewater modification reduced 1,3-butadiene emissions by 97.89% with minimal capital requirements. These findings indicate that substantial exposure reduction is achievable without reliance on capital-intensive controls.