Volatile organic compounds emissions from traditional and clean domestic heating appliances in Guanzhong Plain, China: Emission factors, source profiles, and effects on regional air quality

Solid (biomass and coal) fuels burned for residential heating are major sources of atmospheric volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In this study, VOC samples were collected in-situ from chimneys in 10 typical heating scenarios in rural areas of the Guanzhong Plain. A modified SUMA canister approach was then employed, followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis. Emission factors (EFs) (as received basis) of targeted non-methane VOCs (NMVOCs) varied from 90.3 +/- 29.3 to 12300 +/- 1510 mg kg(-1) in descending order of fuel wood > maize straw > bitumite >> anthracite (p 95%) were contributed by aromatics. A semi-gasifier and coal briquettes were effective in reducing TVOC emissions, even when used in conjunction with a traditional stove and fuels. It is estimated that over 15,000 ton year(-1) emissions can be reduced in Guanzhong Plain by adopting a semi-gasifier and coal briquettes, resulting in a 57,000 and 65,000 ton year(-1) reduction of OFP and SOAP emissions, respectively. These results demonstrate that the use of clean heating technologies in Guanzhong Plain has considerable potential in relation to emissions reduction and thus provides a feasible solution to mitigate VOCs and related secondary pollutants emitted by residential solid fuel burning