pg_0001

ecause of their impact on

the environment, solvent

emissions are a key con-

cern to paint companies, ship-

yards, and ship owners alike, and

are under the scrutiny of environ-

mental regulatory groups. Most ma-

rine coatings are formulated with or-

ganic solvents, which aid the handling

and application of coatings, among other

things. The solvents of concern are the volatile or-

ganic compounds or VOCs. VOCs are regulated because

their vapour emissions into the atmosphere can react with nitrogen oxides

in the presence of sunlight and form low-lying ozone, a component of

smog. Not only must the level of VOCs in a coating conform to legislative

levels, but also the level is important to the coatings manufacturer because

it affects coating application and, therefore, performance. VOC limits vary

even within the same country. For example, in the U.S., there is a general

limit of 450 g/L for industrial maintenance coatings, but in California, the

limit ranges from 250 to 420 g/L, depending on the regulatory district.

The U.S. has also adopted a separate rule for shipyard coatings with VOC

limitations ranging from 340 to 400 g/L. As coating technologies advance

and higher volume solids (low in VOCs) as well as water-borne materials

become more commonplace, the legislative levels are likely to be reduced

further. This article will discuss VOC emissions from the perspective of Eu-

ropean shipyards, describe the problems the shipyards face in monitoring

emissions to assure compliance with legislation, and explain how a com-

puter software program can be brought to bear on the problem.

JPCL • March 2003 • PCE

www.paintsquare.com

VOC

omputerised Management

of VOC Emissions

in Shipyards

VOC VOC VOC VOC V

VOC

VOC VOC VOC