# Solvent VOC Emissions Worksheet (Mass Balance Method) > Source: https://netray.co/tools/solvent-voc-emissions-worksheet > Publisher: Netray (netray.co), AI and integration engineering for ERP and manufacturing systems. > Section: Free Tools ## Short answer Track each solvent, paint and cleaner by volume and VOC content, subtract waste and retained VOC, and total the kilograms emitted. ## Category ehs-workforce ## Industry Coatings, Cleaning, Printing, Metal Finishing ## Audience - EHS manager - Environmental engineer - Paint shop supervisor ## Tool **Kind:** worksheet **Mode:** editable **Columns:** #### Solvent or coating **Key:** product **Type:** text #### Use **Key:** use **Type:** select **Options:** - Coating - Thinner - Cleaning - Degreasing - Ink - Adhesive #### Volume used (litres) **Key:** litres **Type:** number **Format:** number #### VOC content (g/L) **Key:** voc_gl **Type:** number **Format:** number #### VOC input (kg) **Key:** voc_in **Type:** number **Expr:** litres * voc_gl / 1000 **Format:** decimal #### Waste shipped off site (litres) **Key:** waste_l **Type:** number **Format:** number #### VOC in waste (g/L) **Key:** waste_gl **Type:** number **Format:** number #### VOC in waste (kg) **Key:** voc_waste **Type:** number **Expr:** waste_l * waste_gl / 1000 **Format:** decimal #### VOC retained in product (kg) **Key:** retained **Type:** number **Format:** decimal #### VOC emitted (kg) **Key:** emitted **Type:** number **Expr:** max(voc_in - voc_waste - retained, 0) **Format:** decimal **Rows:** #### Two-component polyurethane topcoat **Use:** Coating **Litres:** 1200 **Voc gl:** 420 **Waste l:** 90 **Waste gl:** 380 **Retained:** 25 #### Acetone cleaning solvent **Use:** Cleaning **Litres:** 600 **Voc gl:** 790 **Waste l:** 140 **Waste gl:** 700 **Retained:** 0 #### Reducer thinner **Use:** Thinner **Litres:** 450 **Voc gl:** 830 **Waste l:** 60 **Waste gl:** 800 **Retained:** 0 #### Solvent-based degreaser **Use:** Degreasing **Litres:** 800 **Voc gl:** 720 **Waste l:** 300 **Waste gl:** 650 **Retained:** 0 #### Contact adhesive **Use:** Adhesive **Litres:** 250 **Voc gl:** 650 **Waste l:** 15 **Waste gl:** 600 **Retained:** 40 **Totals:** #### Total VOC input (kg) **Key:** voc_in **Agg:** sum **Format:** decimal #### Total VOC in waste (kg) **Key:** voc_waste **Agg:** sum **Format:** decimal #### Total VOC emitted (kg) **Key:** emitted **Agg:** sum **Format:** decimal **Summary:** #### Emitted share of VOC input **Key:** emit_pct **Expr:** if(gt(sum_voc_in,0), sum_emitted / sum_voc_in * 100, 0) **Format:** percent #### Emitted VOC (tonnes) **Key:** emit_t **Expr:** sum_emitted / 1000 **Format:** decimal **Notes:** Mass balance, in which emitted VOC equals input minus recovered, shipped as waste and retained in product, is one accepted method. Your permit, the EU Solvent Emissions Directive or a US NESHAP and state rules may prescribe a specific method, limits and records, so confirm which applies. Use VOC content from the current safety data sheet, converting to g/L carefully when sheets list weight percent. ## Content **Intro:** Plants that paint, clean, degrease, print or bond use solvents that evaporate as volatile organic compounds. Permits often cap annual VOC emissions and require a record. This worksheet runs the mass balance row by row so you can show how many kilograms were emitted. **Sections:** #### How to use it **Body:** Add one row per product. Enter the litres used from purchase or issue records, and VOC content in g/L from the safety data sheet or supplier technical sheet. Enter any waste solvent shipped off site with its estimated VOC concentration, and any VOC retained in the finished product or in dried coating. The sheet calculates VOC in, VOC in waste and VOC emitted, with totals for the period. **Bullets:** - Use inventory change, not only purchases, for volume used - Convert weight percent to g/L using density - Record the waste manifest volume for each shipment - Handle water in waterborne coatings with care #### The method behind it **Body:** The solvent mass balance is inputs minus outputs. In the EU Solvent Emissions Directive, emissions equal solvent input minus solvent recovered for reuse, minus solvent in waste, minus solvent in product, with fugitive emissions as the unaccounted remainder. US programmes use a similar approach for HAP and VOC compliance with a monthly or rolling total. Using the safety data sheet value for VOC content keeps the calculation traceable, but note some regulations exclude exempt compounds. #### Reading the result **Body:** Most of the input should be emitted in a solvent-heavy process without abatement, so the emitted percentage is expected to be high. If it is very low, check that waste volumes and concentrations are not overstated. Cleaning and thinner rows often reveal the biggest reduction opportunity, since they evaporate fully, and substituting low-VOC cleaners or recovering solvent in a still can show up directly in the total. #### Common mistakes **Body:** Common faults include using purchases rather than consumption, forgetting the opening and closing stock, treating all waste as zero VOC, mixing units between litres and kilograms, and ignoring abatement efficiency if you have an oxidiser or carbon bed. If you have add-on control, multiply the controlled emissions by the destruction or capture efficiency documented in your permit. **Cta:** Netray can pull solvent issues and purchases from ERP inventory transactions into a worksheet like this, so the monthly VOC figure is based on actual consumption. **Faq:** #### What is a VOC mass balance? **Answer:** It is a calculation of emissions as the difference between solvent going into a process and solvent leaving by other routes, such as waste, recovery and product. Whatever is left unaccounted for is assumed emitted. #### Where do I find VOC content? **Answer:** Look in section 9 or 15 of the safety data sheet, or on the product technical data sheet. Values are given in g/L or weight percent. Convert using density if needed, and check whether water or exempt solvents are excluded. #### Do I count waste solvent as emitted? **Answer:** No. Solvent shipped off site as waste is subtracted, because it is not released at your site, though some residual evaporation from open containers can occur. Document the volumes using manifests. #### Which regulation applies to me? **Answer:** That depends on location, process and size. Examples are the EU Solvent Emissions Directive, national permits and US rules including state VOC limits and NESHAPs. Check your operating permit for the required method and limits. ## Search terms solvent voc emissions worksheet, voc emissions calculation mass balance, voc calculator coatings, solvent management plan template, voc content g/l calculation, paint booth voc emissions, voc emissions excel, solvent emissions directive worksheet --- Talk to an engineer: https://netray.co/contact?intent=erp_ai | Machine catalog: https://netray.co/agent/catalog.json