Introduction

0.1 Background

This document has been developed to provide a framework for the selection and use of monitoring methods to determine (detect, identify and/or quantify) the emission to the air of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from diffuse sources, in particular due to the storage, transfer and handling (loading/unloading) of such compounds, within certain industrial sectors. It has primarily been developed to meet the needs of the European Best Available Technique Reference (BREF) document for the refining of mineral oil and gas [1] including the Commission implementing decision [2] establishing best available techniques (BAT) conclusions, under Directive 2010/75/EU [3] on industrial emissions, for the refining of mineral oil and gas.

Emissions of VOCs from anthropogenic, biogenic and other natural sources contribute to the formation of ozone and other pollutants in the atmosphere which are detrimental to human health and damaging to the environment. Better determination of the anthropogenic contribution can help reduce these impacts. A wide range of human activities can give rise to emissions (e.g. industrial processes, transport, the storage and handling of fuels and chemicals, end use of VOC containing products, etc.). Emission sources can be complex and diffuse sources are difficult to determine accurately. Their determination has hitherto required the use of specific measurement and estimation methods not subject to standardization. By setting out appropriate standardization criteria and demonstrating their use with certain techniques, the determination of diffuse VOC should be improved, assisting the management of emissions and consequential benefits.

0.2 European context

National reduction targets for VOC emissions to air in European countries are regulated through the Gothenburg Protocol [4] of the UN-ECE Convention on Long-range Trans-boundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP) and, additionally, for the EU Member States and the EU as a whole by the National Emission Ceilings Directive (2016/2284/EU [5]). Annual reporting of emissions is required under both instruments.

National emissions are the sum of sectoral emissions. Within the EU sectoral emissions are regulated to enable the national commitment to be met. For the largest industrial sectors, the principle instrument is the Industrial Emissions Directive (Directive 2010/75/EU [3]). The Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) sets minimum emission standards for certain pollutants in key sectors but, more importantly, sets out formal guidance to permitting authorities on the emissions, to both air and water and expressed as concentrations or loads that might be achieved through the application of Best Available Technology (BAT). Conclusions on BAT (BATC) are published in the Journal of the European Union and have legal status. The BATC are derived through a formal process (the Sevilla Process) of data collection and appraisal recorded in Best Available Techniques Reference documents (BREFs). BREFs provide context and guidance for the interpretation of the BATC. The IED sets out a requirement to review, and if necessary, revise, each sectoral BREF on an 8-year cycle.

This document supports BATCs that require diffuse VOC emissions to be assessed and reported. These are, at the time of writing, set out in:

— Mineral Oil and Gas Refineries [2] (BAT 6);
— Common Waste Water and Waste Gas in the Chemical Sector [6] (BAT 5);
— Common Waste Gas Management and Treatment Systems in the Chemical Sector (BAT 22) [7].

General information on Monitoring for Diffuse Emissions can be found in the JRC Reference Report on Monitoring of Emissions to Air and Water from IED Installations (EUR 29261 EN) [8].

BS EN 17628:2022

Fugitive and diffuse emissions of common concern to industry sectors. Standard method to determine diffuse emissions of volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere

Current

Published:

31 May 2022