Comparative study,prospects,and suggestions of air pollutant control standards related to the petrochemical industry source between China and the United States
Under the rapid development of new energy and the prospect of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals,it is expected that China's fossil energy air pollutant emissions will be greatly reduced in the long term.But before 2030,the amount of traditional fossil energy air pollutant emissions that need to be addressed in China is still projected to increase.To address this issue,it is strongly advised to revise the existing air quality standards and pollutant emission standards policies,specifically the ones concerning the release of pollutants from petrochemical flue gas and volatile organic compounds(VOCs).This proactive approach is essential to ensure effective control and mitigation of air pollution as part of China's broader sustainability agenda.The environmental standards and policies of the United States serve as valuable references for China's future revision on relevant standards.It is advisable for China to establish new criteria and improve the existing ones for pollutant emissions based on the sources of VOCs,emphasizing the reduction of large emissions while relaxing control over smaller ones.Also,it is important to rely on mature technologies,prioritizing the timeliness,relative stability,and regional applicability of standard policies,while formulating stringent emission standards.Meanwhile,it is suggested that a feasibility analysis should be included in the"Guide of Emergency Emission Reduction Technology"regarding the condensable particulate emissions from coal-fired power plants.To further reinforce stringent standards regarding the emission of VOCs from industrial petrochemical production process,we need to give precedence to the regulation of organic liquid storage tanks.Additionally,it is imperative to prioritizing the management of methane emissions in oil and gas fields within the petrochemical industry.Also,academic investigation ought to be conducted to explore potential interventions targeting the manipulation of positive and negative ions during heavy pollution weather,with the objective of mitigating adverse weather conditions.When revising the pollutant emission standards of GB 31570-2015(emission standard of pollutants for petroleum refining industry),GB 31571-2015(emission standard of pollutants for petrochemical industry),and GB 31572-2015(emission standard of pollutants for synthetic resin industry),several bullet points are suggested as below:①The total emission volume of pollutants should be reduced in the revised version of pollutant emission standards.②As referred to the terminology definition and analysis method in the U.S.standards,we should modify the term"non-methane total hydrocarbons"in Chinese standards to"total organic compounds"(TOC)without taking methane and ethane into accounts.③ In order to conform to the provisions outlined in Table 4 of GB 31570-2015 and Table 5 of GB 31571-2015 for organic waste gas treatment devices in wastewater treatment facilities,it is recommended to replace the term"non-methane total hydrocarbons"with"TOC"and establish a maximum threshold of 60mg/m3.④Modifying the removal efficiency of"non-methane total hydrocarbons""emitted by the organic waste gas in Table 4 of GB 31570-2015 and Table 5 of GB 31571-2015 to"TOC removal efficiency of ≥99%"or alternatively,stipulating a maximum permissible"TOC concentration of ≤60mg/m3).Also,it has taken the control indicators for benzene(≤4mg/m3),toluene(≤15mg/m3),and xylene(≤20mg/m3)into accounts as listed in Table 4 of GB 31570-2015.⑤ Eliminating the oxygen conversion factor of atmospheric pollutant emission concentrations from organic waste gas emission outlets.