(168a) Pollution, Control Status and Strategy of Volatile Organic Compounds in China's Petrochemical and Refining Industries

With rapid industrialization and urbanization in China, haze and photochemical smog, caused by fine particulate matters (PM_2.5, PM₁₀) and ozone (O₃), have become one of the most severe environmental pollution issues in China, which were seriously affecting the daily life and physical health of residents. Thus, as an important precursor of fine particulate matters and ozone, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are now included in the national control of key pollutants and total control factors. Because of its strategic importance in industrial system and its huge VOCs emissions (accounts for 34.3% of the total emissions), petrochemical and refining industries have recently elicited public concern and given new impetus to scientific interest.

This paper reviews the VOCs emissions in China in recent decades, and summarizes the policies, regulations, emission standards and the existing pollutant permit system for controlling VOCs in China's petrochemical and refining industries. This paper also analysis the main problems in current petrochemical and refining industries VOCs control status and management. Some countermeasures and suggestions, such as developing and improving VOCs monitoring methods, establishing VOCs source spectrum database in petrochemical and refining industries, researching the best feasible control technology and so on, are proposed to strengthen the management of VOCs emission control. Besides, the prospects and recommendations are put forward for China's future open, whole-process VOCs management model.

The findings not only provide a scientific basis for enhancing and implementation of existing VOC control strategies, but also provide technical support for governments and enterprises to improve environmental quality and alleviate regional air pollution.