Techno-economic assessment of VOC-emission reduction strategies based on the ARGUS model

Volatile organic compounds (VOC) are subject to several international environmental regulations such as the UNECE Gothenburg Protocol (1999) and the corresponding European NEC-Directive (on national emission ceilings for SO2, NOx, VOC and NH3; 2001/81/EC). The mass flow optimization model ARGUS is proposed as a bottom-up approach for the elaboration of cost-effective VOC emission reduction strategies on a national and regional level. Various scenarios reflecting different time delays and pathways for the implementation of the emission reduction targets can be considered. The application of ARGUS is demonstrated for the sector of metal degreasing in Austria.