Evaluation of the vocs emitted by the combustion of rice straw

This study is aimed to perform a qualitative analysis for the identification of VOCs emitted by the burning of rice straw biomass. VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are characterized by a high vapor pressure at ordinary pressure and include a large number of classes of compounds, for example: CFC, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, terpenes, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, etc. Such a wide variety of compounds implies various harmful effects both for humans and for the environment. One of the main anthropogenic sources of VOCs is universally recognized in the processes of controlled or uncontrolled combustion of agricultural waste. In particular, it is estimated that about 260 Mt of rice production in the world are burnt uncontrolled directly on the ground or in implants for the production of energy. So a Basmati rice straw (Oryza Sativa) stock was imported from Pakistan and was combusted in a boiler. During this process the gases produced using tubes for thermal desorption were sampled. In this phase Activated Carbon Fiber (ACF) tubes were used. Subsequently the analyzes were conducted with a GC-MS system in full scan mode in order to identify a qualitative profile of the substances emitted.