Development of emission factors for polyethylene processing

Emission factors for selected volatile organic and particulate emissions were developed over a range of temperatures during extrusion of polyethylene resins. A pilot scale extruder was used. Polymer melt temperatures ranged from 500 degrees F to 600 degrees F for low density polyethylene (LDPE), 355 degrees F to 500 degrees F for linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), and 380 degrees F to 430 degrees F for high density polyethylene (HDPE). An emission factor was calculated for each substance measured and reported as pounds released to the atmosphere per million pounds of polymer processed (ppm[wt/wt]). Based on production volumes, these emission factors can be used by processors to estimate emissions from polyethylene extrusion operations that are similar to the conditions used in this study.