Characterization of Odorous Gaseous Emissions from a Rendering Plant by GC-MS and Evaluate the Performance of Existing Refiners

Background : Among the industrial activities that may cause odor nuisance problems, baking waste one is of the sources of bad odor, and therefore individuals complain from the industry. The aim of this study was to evaluation of pollutants released from poultry rendering plant and also performance of existing refiners in removing these pollutants. Methods : In this study, 66 air samples were collected from air pollution sources, environmental and worker's breathing zone using absorbent activated carbon and silica gel at two slaughterhouses in North and West of Iran. The samples were analyzed by GC-MS, and then efficiency of the three refiners condenser, thermal oxidation and water tank had been determined. Results : Overall, 56 chemical pollutants in the slaughterhouse A and 41 chemical pollutants in the slaughterhouse B had been identified. These compounds were  included hydrocarbons, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, ethers, halogenated compounds, sulfur compounds, nitrogen compounds, acids and hormones. Condenser efficiency was 38 to 100%. Thermal oxidation efficiency was 15.41 to 100% and the efficiency of the water tank was 8.93 to 100%. Conclusions : Occupational exposure to pyridine and carbon disulfide, in the slaughterhouse A, and carbon disulfide in the slaughterhouse B, was excessive. The concentrations of toluene, carbon disulfide and pyridine in the slaughterhouse A and concentrations of toluene, carbon disulfide and acetone in a slaughterhouse B was much more than the threshold of smell. Results showed that the combination of condenser and thermal oxidation, could remove large volumes of gases emitted.