A175-0010
Mobile Laboratory Characterization of Rendering Plant Emissions

Tuesday, 15 December 2020
Poster
Tara Irene Yacovitch1, Walter B Knighton2, Jordan E. Krechmer1, Francesca Majluf1, Steven Boddeker3, Conner Daube4, Jason Curry4, Payam Pakbin3, Andrea Polidori5, Olga Pikelnaya5 and Scott C. Herndon4, (1)Aerodyne Research Inc., Billerica, MA, United States, (2)Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States, (3)South Coast Air Quality Management District, Diamond Bar, United States, (4)Aerodyne Research Inc, Billerica, MA, United States, (5)South Coast Air Quality Management District, Diamond Bar, CA, United States
Abstract:
Rendering facilities process animal byproduct from slaughtering operations, and have continued work as essential businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. These facilities emit numerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including aldehydes, ketones and sulfur compounds. Among them are methane thiol (CH3SH) and numerous other compounds associated with unpleasant odors.

We present results of downwind mobile measurements conducted near several rendering facilities in Southern California. A mobile laboratory surveyed the areas, equipped with a Vocus (a proton-transfer-reaction mass-spectrometer, PTR-MS) and numerous other trace gas, particulate and meteorological instruments.

Methane thiol is identified as a key tracer species for rendering plant emissions. Plumes are mapped geographically, and the impact of other nearby industrial sources noted. Emissions are characterized by the ratios of emitted compounds to key species. The full high-resolution Vocus mass spectra are mined for unique signatures, and the challenges of characterizing odor associated with a mix of VOCs are discussed.

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