Assessment of Styrene Emission Controls for FRP/C and Boat Building Industries

This study evaluated several conventional and novel emission control technologies that have been used or could be used to treat styrene emissions from open molding processes in fiberglass-reinforced plastics/composites (FRP/C) and fiberglass boat building facilities. Control costs for these conventional and novel technologies were developed and compared for three hypothetical plant sizes. The results of this cost analysis indicate that (1) preconcentration by adsorption followed by desorption for recovery or oxidation appears to reduce the overall cost of styrene control, particularly at the lower styrene concentrations (less than 100 ppm) typically found at these facilities, and (2) increasing the styrene concentration (i.e., lowering flow rate) of the exhaust streams can significantly reduce cost per ton of styrene removed for all technologies examined, because capital and operating costs decrease with decreasing exhaust flow rate. Therefore, a company should evaluate methods to increase concentrations (i.e., reduce flow rates) of the exhaust stream before considering any add-on control devices. This report also presents air flow management practices and enclosure concepts that could be used to create a concentrated exhaust stream while maintaining a safe working environment. This Project Summary was developed by EPA’s National Risk Management Research Laboratory’s Air Pollution Prevention and Control Division, Research Triangle Park, NC, to announce Assessment of Styrene Emission Controls for FRP/C and Boat Building Industries