Species and release characteristics of VOCs in furniture coating process

Abstract Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are an important factor affecting ambient air quality, and furniture production is one of the important sources of VOC pollution. High VOC concentrations have adverse effects on the environment and worker welfare in furniture factories. In order to control VOC emissions in a furniture workshop, the VOC species and concentration distributions were examined. Qualitative analysis of VOC species was carried out by headspace gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The results showed that VOCs from a furniture workshop were mainly 12 substances including acetate, toluene, and xylene compounds. The heights and representative positions of VOCs released during the coating process were determined, and the results showed that VOC concentrations depended on environmental and height factors. The concentration of VOCs decreased with increasing altitude and reached a maximum concentration at 0.4 m above the ground. Because the concentration of VOCs varied with temperature, humidity, air pressure, and amount of spray paint, this paper established functional relationships between VOC concentrations and temperature, humidity, air pressure, and amount of spray paint. These results provide a theoretical basis for furniture workshops to automatically monitor and control VOCs. Main finding of this work VOCs from the furniture workshop were mainly composed of 10 substances including acetate, toluene, and xylene compounds.