The identification and measurement of refinery odours

Report No. 8/75: This report, which quotes current European regulations on odours and systems adopted for receiving odour complaints from the general public, eumaxizes the types of compounds giving rise to odours from oil refineries and identifies the possible sources. Instrumental and olfactory methods for the identification and measurement of odours are described, in particular chromatographic methods for the determination of hydrocarbons and sulphur compounds in the atmosphere.'

A novel method of presenting the data to highlight the compounds causing odour is given. The selection and use of odour panels as a means of establishing good public relations and of monitoring public complaints are discussed.