This study investigated the odor emission characteristics of fertilizer manufacturing facilities. The characteristics were evaluated by measuring the odor concentration at the outlet and site boundary of the complex fertilizer and organic fertilizer manufacturing facilities. The evaluation process utilized the air dilution sensory method and PTR-ToF-MS. The complex odor dilution factor ranged from 100 to 120 times at the outlet of the compound fertilizer manufacturing facility. Specifically, the concentrations of Ammonia and Aldehydes were relatively high as designated odor substances. For the organic fertilizer facility, the dilution factor for complex odors was measured up to a maximum of 3,000. And, designated odorants such as Ammonia and Hydrogen sulfide were measured at levels up to parts per million (ppm). The odor contribution assessment of the fertilizer manufacturing facilities showed that the complex fertilizer facility exhibited similar contributions from Aldehydes and Sulfur compounds. On the other hand, the organic fertilizer facility had the highest contribution of over 62% from Sulfur compounds. As odor substances are easily changed and diffused according to weather conditions, it is difficult to obtain representative data according to the measurement time. Therefore, if continuous monitoring of odorous substances is performed using equipment that can be measured in real time without pretreatment, it becomes feasible to identify odor emission sources and regional spatio-temporal distribution. This information would then serve as a basis for analyzing odorant contamination characteristics and establishing appropriate countermeasures.

Incheon is an area where complaints about odors occur frequently and there are many sources of odor emission. In this study, we used a real-time monitoring device to measure the odorous concentration near the areas where there are complaints about odors. The measurements were carried out for the three areas (G, C, S) that are located around emissions sources. G is situated in an industrial complex that has a reputation for being one of the most foul smelling regions of Incheon. A petroleum refining plant and storage facility are located around C. S is a residential area nearby an industrial site. The concentration of major designated odor substances in the G and S areas satisfied the site boundary emission standards. With regard to the characteristics of odor substances by region, although the C area region had the highest odor intensity among the three regions due to the odor intensity near the oil storage facility areas G and S were similar in terms of odor intensity. In the region of the G area, the odor intensity was slightly higher at the northern side of t he industrial complex. In terms of the odor intensity of the designated odor substances, trimethyl amine was the strongest, followed by hydrogen sulfide. The real time monitoring system was necessary to analyze the changing trends of odor substances and for the determination of major odor sources. This study was conducted to identify the material causes of odors in areas of Incheon where there are frequent complaints about major odors.

This study was designed to assess the odor characteristics of paprika with metal oxide gas sensors. Non-decayed paprika and decayed paprika were assessed by sensor array system comprising 10 kinds of sensors. Three representative sensors were selected from among the 10. Selection was based on a correlation analysis between sensors from the results of the sensor array assessment on non-decayed paprika. It was found that the odor variation characteristics of paprika can be assessed by metal oxide gas sensors and that the odor variation characteristics of paprika are different depending on the type of gas sensors. The odor characteristics of paprika were different according to the color, the presence or absence of decay, the location of decay, the type of sensor, and the passage of time. Regardless of decay, the sensor response value of orange paprika was the highest, with the 2611 sensor yielding the highest response value. The SB-AQ1 sensor could not identify the difference in odor characteristics depending on the location of decay, while detection was possible by both SB-41 and 2611 sensors.