New understanding of source profiles: Example of the coating industry

The source profiles of VOCs in the industry are closely related to the raw and auxiliary materials, process characteristics and waste gas treatment of the enterprise, as well as the number of VOCs that can be identified by analytical methods. In the process of industry transformation, it is necessary to update the source profiles. This study selects the coating industry as a case study as it is in a transitional stage and has high volatile organic compounds (VOCs) production and odor complaints. The VOCs emissions in seven coating enterprises in 2019 were studied using a broad-spectrum and high species identification rate analysis method to identify many new species of VOCs, which increased the total emissions by 6.4 times compared with previous studies. A total of 26 new types of VOCs pollutants were identified, especially the number of oxygenated VOCs species increased by 3.1 times, and proved that butyl acetate replaced the benzene series to become was the new dominant species in the coating industry. And the average ozone formation potential (OFP) of coating industry was 2.6 times the measurement result of the classic method of PAMs and TO15. The source reactivity increased on average by 366.7%. [Display omitted] •The content of 30% new species discovered in coatings industry increased by 50%.•OVOC in sources profile accounted for 99.7%, and acetate is dominant odor pollutant.•Redefined VOCs dominant species, OFP and SR have multiplied in coatings industry.•New acetate/benzene series ratio determine the production type in coating industry.