Abstract |
The report defines chemical/plastics industry producers, production volume, forecasted growth rates, plant capacities and locations, and average population densities at each plant site. It describes major processes in terms of equipment, reaction conditions, specific process chemicals, and general air pollution controls. A decision model was used to relate the interactions of such factors as total population exposed, production volume, growth trends, emission, odor, and hazard potential of the most likely pollutants. The report identifies polyurethanes, acrylics, and alkyds as the most likely candidates for in-depth study, estimating emissions factors and discussing emission controls and their costs. It gives similar information for some high-volume plastic materials: polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene, nylon, and polyvinyl chloride. Most of the pollution control devices used in the industry are associated with large volume resin manufacture and function primarily to recover product or heat values: in most instances, economics dictate against installing control devices solely for pollution control. The report gives calculated costs for various controls. |