• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.19 no.6
• /
• pp.663-677
• /
• 2003

The concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the ambient air were measured at three sites (Samil-dong, SRO and EFMC) in Yeosu industrial complex during September 2000 to August 2001. Air samples were collected for 24 hours in Silicocan canister (6l) with constant flow samplers every 6 days and analyzed using a cryogenic preconcentration system and a GC/MS. At each site, we identified 35 species known as on both the carcinogenic and mutagenicity by the EPA US (TO-14 manual). No relationship was found between YOCs concentration at three sampling points. Furthermore, the result shows that there appears to be a variety distribution of the concentration. BTX, vinyl chloride and high concentrations of 1,2-dichloroethane were observed at the sampling sites. Especially, high concentration of toxic VOCs, such as vinyl chloride, chloroform, 1,2-dichloroethane and benzene were shown at environmental facilities management cooperation (EMFC) site. They seem to be emitted from the facility of wastewater treatment in Yeosu industrial complex. It was difficult to tell the seasonal variation of total VOCs concentration. Nevertheless, the concentration in winter was typically higher than in summer The concentrations of toxic VOCs contents in Yeosu industrial complex were generally lower than those in Ulsan complex, although those were similar or less than in Seoul and Daegu. Whereas, toluene and styrene emitted from Yeosu industrial complex were higher than those of Edmonton industrial complex in Canada. Especially, toluene was third times higher than those observed from Texas, USA.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.201-208
• /
• 2011

Objective: Emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from municipal wastewater treatment plants and industrial wastewater are often overlooked as sources of exposure to toxic chemicals. VOCs from such sources evaporate readily into the air and may have significantly adverse impacts on public health. The present study aimed to establish the concentration of VOCs released from Jangrim-sinpyoeng Municipal and Industrial Wastewater Treatment plant (JWTP) in Busan, South Korea and assess the causes of the odor/stench in the surrounding residential facilities. Stench intensity, frequency and release time, and wind direction were also monitored. Methods: Onsite data were collected on a daily basis from a laboratory located on the JWTP premises through a period spanning 2006 to 2010. A second set of data was obtained in 2006 by conducting a questionnaire survey with 210 respondents living near JWTP. The experimental and survey data were analysed statistically using the SPSS package. Results: The survey results showed that people residing around JWTP strongly perceive a stench from the plant. The intensity of the stench was influenced significantly by wind direction and the location of the apartments facing the JWTP. Public participation formed a significant step in determining the quality of the study environment. Conclusion: Onsite data and survey data obtained in 2006 indicate that the nature of the odor experienced by residents is due to the intensity of total VOCs released by JWTP. However, additional research is needed to determine the effects of the VOC pollution on public health and quality of life.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.57-65
• /
• 2005

To investigate the characteristics of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) concentration in the groundwater around Ulsan, Korea, 168 groundwaters, 12 stream waters, and 6 sewage waters were analyzed for 61 VOCs. Results showed that VOCs were not detected in stream waters and total VOCs concentration in 5 sewage waters was in the range of ND-22.3 ${\mu}$g/L. In 78 groundwater samples more than one VOCs were detected and VOCs concentration of the samples ranged from 0.1 ${\mu}$g/L to 387.1 ${\mu}$g/L. However, VOCs concentration of 66 samples out of 78 samples showed less than 10 ${\mu}$g/L and that of only 6 samples exceeded Korea drinking water limit (KDWL). 42 VOCs detected from the 168 groundwaters were 14 aromatic hydrocarbons out of 25, 27 chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons out of 35, and methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE). Detection rate of each VOCs in the groundwaters was as follows: chloroform in 43 samples (25.6%), methylene chloride in 36 samples (21.4%), TCE in 26 samples (15.5%), 1,1-dichloroethane in 19 samples (1.3%), PCE in 16 samples (9.5%), cis-1,2-DCE in 15 samples (8.9%), and toluene in 14 samples (8.3%). Even though VOCs concentration in the groundwaters of the study area is still low, the city is expanding and the drinking water limit is becoming strict, and therefore continuous monitoring is necessary.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.29 no.6
• /
• pp.678-683
• /
• 2007

We isolated a toluene-degrading bacterium, TDB-4, from a bioreactor which designed to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the contaminated air. Based on the results of 16S rRNA gene analysis, it was classified as Pseudomonas sp. The toluene degradability was estimated in the variable toluene and bacterial concentrations. The bacterial growth and degradation rate was higher in the samples supplied with 50 ${\mu}mole/vial$ of toluene than with 10 ${\mu}mole/vial$. It was decreased, however, in the samples with 100 ${\mu}mole/vial$, indicating that toluene inhibit the growth or degradation activity of TDB-4 at high concentration. When the degradation ability of other compounds was examined, TDB-4 can degrade other VOCs such as styrene, benzene, and xylene. These results will be helpful to optimize the operating conditions to improve the efficiency of a bioreactor in detoxification of VOCs.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Sciences Society Conference
• /
• 2007.05a
• /
• pp.65-68
• /
• 2007

수분선택흡착-VOCs흡착-압축응축식 hybrid 공정에서 수분의 선택분리가 가능한 흡착제를 선정하였다. 또한 수분흡착탑에서 미리 수분을 제거하여 VOCs의 흡착효율을 높임으로써 배출환경기준을 만족시키고 수분 혼합성 VOCs와 수분 비혼합성 VOCs 회수가 가능한 공정 운영이 가능함을 알 수 있었고, 회수된 VOCs를 곧바로 생산 공정에 재투입할 수 있는 원료물질 수준으로 회수가 가능하였다.

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
• /
• 2009.10a
• /
• pp.500-501
• /
• 2009

• Journal of Environmental Analysis, Health and Toxicology
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.264-280
• /
• 2018

In this study, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured using a proton transfer reaction-time of flight-mass spectrometer (PTR-ToF-MS) at the Seoul Metropolitan Area Intensive Monitoring Station (SIMS) in Korea during the summer season of 2018. The results revealed that oxygenated VOCs (OVOCs) contributed a large fraction (83.6%) of the total VOCs, with methanol being the most abundant constituent (38.6%). The VOCs measured at SIMS were strongly influenced by local conditions. Non-volatile organic compounds (NVOCs), such as pinene, increased due to northeasterly wind direction in the morning, and OVOCs and anthropogenic VOCS (AVOCs) increased with northwesterly wind direction during the daytime. This was the result of the eastward location of Bukhansan National Park and the westward location of urban area from the SIMS location. The VOCs included abundant oxidized forms of VOCs, which can affect the generation of fine dust through various response pathways in the atmosphere. The real-time measurement technique using PTR-ToF-MS suggested in this study is expected to contribute to an improved scientific understanding of high-concentration fine dust events because the high temporal resolution makes it possible to analyze the variations of VOCs reflected in dynamic events.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.88-93
• /
• 2000

The objective of this study was to depict the kinetic behavior of the platinum catalyst for the deep oxidation of VOCs and their mixture. The oxidation characteristics of VOCs, which were benzene, toluene, and styrene, was studies on a 0.5% $Pt/{\gamma}-Al_2O_3$ catalyst. The reactivity increases in order benzene>toluene>styrene. In mixtures, remarkable effects on reaction rate and selectivity have been evident ; the strongest inhibiting effect was shown by styrene and increases in a reverse order with respect to that of reactivity. The reaction model reveals that there is a competition between the two reactants for the oxidized catalyst. Thus, the nontoxic catalytic oxidation process was suggested as the new VOCs control technology.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.18 no.6
• /
• pp.552-556
• /
• 2007

In this study, noble metals (Pd, Ru, Ir) were supported to $TiO_2$ catalyst. In order to distribute metals uniformly, $H_2O-H_2$ pretreatment technique was used. Xylene, toluene, and MEK were used as reactants. The monometallic or bimetallic catalysts were prepared by the excess wetness impregnation method and were characterized by XRD, and XPS analysis. Pd-Ru, Pd-Ir bimetallic catalysts had multipoint active sites which improved the range of Pd metal state. Bimetallic catalysts had a higher conversion of VOCs than that of monometallic one. The effect of $H_2O-H_2$ pretreatment technique was the enhancement of uniform distribution of Pd particles and promotion of catalytic efficiency. In this study, addition of Ru and Ir metals to Pd promoted oxidation conversion of VOCs. In addition, $H_2O-H_2$ pretreatment promoted removal efficiency of VOCs on the $TiO_2$ support.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.274-285
• /
• 2001

In this study, the thermal desorption-cryofocusing-gas chromatographic(TD-C-GC) method was developed for determination of volatile organic compounds(VOCs) in ambient air and was applied at the municipal solid waste landfill sites. On-column cryofocusing was possible only with a 100 ml dewars bottle in TD-C-GC method with a stainless steel column. However, high operating pressure was needed for purging VOCs from the absorbent trap, which was able to solve by pressure programming with a electric pressure controller. By using both pressure and temperature programming brought increasing of resolution power in on-column cryofocusing method, but the high pressure caused a leakage of sample tube with repeated use. A loop cryofocusing devise was also developed and compared with the direct on-column method. In loop cryofocusing method, VOCs were concentrated on a 0.8mm i.d. loop which is located between the injector and separation column by using liquid nitrogen. In order to purge VOCs from the absorbent trap, only 0.4 psi of pressure was need in the loop cryofocusing method. Dual detection system was applied for the analysis of VOCs; a FID was used for hydrocarbons and a FPD was used for sulfur-containing compounds. Qualitative analysis was done by on-column cryofocusing GC-MS system. Among the large number of VOCs, toluene was the most abundant. Hydrogen sulfide, dimethyl sulfide, carbon disulfide, dimethyl disulfide and methyl propyl disulfide were detected at landfill site by FPD.