Air Pollution

All substances are poisons; there is none in which is not poison. The right
dose differentiates a poison and a remedy
 Natural Air Pollution

Dust Ash & SO2 Smoke

 Outdoor Air Pollution

 Primary pollutants (substances that are emitted

directly into the atmosphere)
 Harmful as released
 carbon monoxide
 soot (fine particulates)
 Secondary pollutants
 Produced when primary pollutants react with
atmosphere
 sulfuric acid
 ozone
 Primary Pollutants
• Emissions from
– Factories
– Homes
– Cars, trucks, other machinery
• Most are greenhouse gases (see “Global Warming”)
• CO, SO2, NO, NO2, lead, mercury
• CO2 ??
• Hydrocarbons
• Particulates (soot, dust)

Fuel (H, C, S, N, Pb, Hg, ash) + Air (N2+O2)

 Secondary Pollutants
• Produced by chemical reactions of primary pollutants
with air molecules
– NO2 + O2  O3 + NO
– SO2 + H2O  H2SO3 (sulfurous acid)
– 2H2SO3 + O2  2H2SO4 (sulfuric acid).
 Conventional, “Criteria,” Pollutants

• Carbon monoxide, CO Carbon monoxide is generated when four variables are

not kept sufficiently high
• Sulfur dioxide, SO2 1. Oxygen supply
2. Combustion temperature
• Nitrogen oxides 3. Gas residence time at high temperature
• Ozone, O3 4. Combustion chamber turbulence

• Particulates (PM10 and now PM2.5

• Lead
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
 Unconventional Pollutants
• Less abundant than conventional pollutants, but very
hazardous
– Asbestos
– Benzene
– Beryllium
– Mercury vapor
– Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
– Vinyl chloride
 Industrial smog

• Primary and secondary

pollutants from burning
of fossil fuels and
reactions in atmosphere.
– CO, CO2
– SO2, sulfuric acid
– H2S (hydrogen sulfide)
– Dust, soot (particulates)
Sao Paulo Brazil

Mexico city

New Delhi
 Photochemical smog
• Secondary pollutants
produced in presence
of light (esp. UV).
– Ozone,
– nitrous oxide,
– nitric acid,
– “others”

VOCs + Nox + Sunlight Photochemical smog

 Photochemical smog
Important key to understanding atmospheric organic chemistry is the hydroxyl radical
which is formed when atomic oxygen reacts with water:
O. + H2O OH.

Ref: Introduction to environmental engineering and science by G. M. Masters & W. P. Ela

Variation of NO, NO2 and O3 concentration
http://mtweb.mtsu.edu/nchong/Smog-Atm1.htm
 Causes of outdoor air pollution in India
• Exponential growth of vehicles,
outdated vehicle technology, bad
fuel quality, poor maintenance of
vehicles, poor traffic management
and planning
• Unwillingness on the part of
vehicle owners and the auto
industry to accept emission norms
• Lack of efficient public transport.
• Trucks and buses run on diesel,
which has high sulphur content.
• Old engines emit vast quantities of
suspended particulate matter
(SPM).
 Impact of air pollution
Asthma
SO2, NO2, NO
Headaches,
Respiratory dizziness
Bronchitis
diseases
Carbon monoxide
Influenza, Health VOCs, Lung
colds impacts suspended cancer
particles

Reduced
plant growth Air pollution

Damage to Impact on
leaves of crop plants
plants Impact on
materials

Susceptible
to diseases,
pests, frost Cars Homes Monuments,
sites
CASE STUDY-1

Bhopal gas tragedy (1984)

 The story of juvenile asthma

• Many asthmatics among poor children in Indian cities

• WHO estimate: 10-15% of Indian children in the 5-11 age
group suffer from asthma
• Strong link between air pollution and asthma
Story of Kanpur, one of the
most polluted cities in India

Kanpur is home to many

textile mills and leather units
 Goal

❖ Mechanism of depletion of ozone layer and absorption of UV radiation

❖ Molecular vibration and absorption of Infrared (IR) radiation

❖ Climate change: Global warming, green house effect

❖Mechanism of depletion of ozone layer and
absorption of UV radiation
 Mechanism of depletion of ozone layer and ultraviolet ray
absorption

Much like sunscreen for the Earth, the ozone layer shields the Earth from the sun’s damaging
UV-B radiation, which can adversely affect human health and ecosystems
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2kpz_8ntJY
 The Chapman Cycle
The stratosphere is in a constant cycle with oxygen molecules and their interaction
with ultraviolet rays. This process is considered a cycle because of its constant
conversion between different molecules of oxygen. The ozone layer is created when
ultraviolet rays react with oxygen molecules (O2) to create ozone (O3) and atomic
oxygen (O). This process is called the Chapman cycle.

1.An oxygen molecules is photolyzed by solar radiation, creating two oxygen radicals:
hν+O 2 →2O .
2.Oxygen radicals then react with molecular oxygen to produce ozone:
O 2 +O . →O 3
3.Ozone then reacts with an additional oxygen radical to form molecular oxygen:
O 3 +O . →2O 2
4.Ozone can also be recycled into molecular oxygen by reacting with a photon:
O 3 +hν→O 2 +O .

It is important to keep in mind that ozone is constantly being created and destroyed by
the Chapman cycle and that these reactions are natural processes, which have been
taking place for millions of years. Because of this, the thickness the ozone layer at any
particular time can vary greatly. It is also important to know that O2 is constantly being
introduced into the atmosphere through photosynthesis, so the ozone layer has the
capability of regenerating itself.
 Chemistry of Ozone Depletion
CFC molecules are made up of chlorine, fluorine and carbon atoms and are extremely
stable. This extreme stability allows CFC's to slowly make their way into the stratosphere
(most molecules decompose before they can cross into the stratosphere from the
troposphere). This prolonged life in the atmosphere allows them to reach great altitudes
where photons are more energetic. When the CFC's come into contact with these high
energy photons, their individual components are freed from the whole. The following
reaction displays how Cl atoms have an ozone destroying cycle:

Cl+O 3 →ClO+O 2 (step 1)

ClO+O . →Cl+O 2 (step 2)

O 3 +O . →2O 2 (Overall reaction)

Chlorine is able to destroy so much of the ozone because it acts as a catalyst. Chlorine
initiates the breakdown of ozone and combines with a freed oxygen to create two oxygen
molecules. After each reaction, chlorine begins the destructive cycle again with another
ozone molecule. One chlorine atom can thereby destroy thousands of ozone molecules.
Because ozone molecules are being broken down they are unable to absorb any ultraviolet
light so we experience more intense UV radiation at the earths surface.
Chemistry in Environmental Science

 Photolysis of ozone…..

What maximum wavelength of light would be capable of

causing photolysis of ozone into oxygen and oxygen radical?

ΔH0O3=142.9kJ/mol
ΔH0O=247.5kJ/mol
ΔH0O2=0kJ/mol
Molecular vibration and IR absorption
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3szR-xQF4CA
 What is climate change?

Global warming – doesn’t mean we’ll all just have warmer

weather in future.

As the planet heats, climate patterns change. It’ll mean

more extreme and unpredictable weather across the
world – many places will be hotter, some wetter, others
drier.

We know the planet has warmed by an average of nearly

1°C in the past century. That might not sound much, but
on a global scale it’s a huge increase and it’s creating big
problems for people and wildlife.
Climate Change -- the scientific debate

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52KLGqDSAjo
 Global Warming, A Quick Poll
Is global warming real? Who is to blame?
a) Yes a) Human activities
b) No b) Nature causes
c) ET
How much has the average d) NoCanTell!
temperature of the Earth risen in
the last 100 years? What is to blame?
a) ~ 0.5°C a) Ozone
b) ~ 1.0°C b) CO2
c) ~ 5.0°C c) H2O
d) ~ 10.0°C d) O2
This is the highest temperature ever
recorded in Earth’s history.
a) Yes.
b) No.
 Global Warming, A Quick Poll
Is global warming real? Who is to blame?
a) Yes a) Human activities
b) No b) Nature causes
c) ET
How much has the average d) NoCanTell!
temperature of the Earth risen in
the last 100 years? What is to blame?
a) ~ 0.5°C a) Ozone
b) ~ 1.0°C b) CO2
c) ~ 5.0°C c) H2O
d) ~ 10.0°C d) O2
e) NoCanTell. It is real
As far as we know, this is the highest complicated!
temperature ever recorded in
Earth’s history.
a) Yes.
b) No.
OBJECTIVES:

1. Explain the impact of the greenhouse effect

on planet Earth
2. Describe greenhouse gases and their effects
3. Explain how human activities have
contributed to global warming
4. Describe the effects of global warming on
people and the land
5. Give examples of what people can do about
the amount of greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere.
 Global Warming
What is it?

Earth has warmed by about 1 º C over the

past 100 years. But why? And How?

Scientists are not exactly sure.

The earth could be getting warm on it’s own.

 However ….

• Many of the world’s leading climate

scientists think that things people do are
helping to make the Earth warmer.

• Scientists are sure about the greenhouse

effect. They know that greenhouse gases
make the earth warmer by trapping energy
in the atmosphere.
What is the Greenhouse effect?
• The greenhouse effect is the rise in temperature
that the Earth experiences because certain gases in
the atmosphere trap heat from the Sun’s rays.
 Have you seen a greenhouse?

• Most greenhouses look

like small glasshouses.

• Green houses are used

to grow plants,
especially in the
winter.
 How do greenhouses work?

• Greenhouses work by
trapping heat from the
sun.

• The glass panels of the

greenhouse let in light
but keep heat from
escaping.
 How do greenhouses work?

• This causes the

greenhouse to heat up
much like the inside of
a car parked in
sunlight, and keeps the
plants warm enough to
live in the winter.
 The Greenhouse Effect

• The Earth’s
atmosphere is all
around us. It is the air
we breathe.

• Greenhouse gases in
the atmosphere behave
much like the glass
panes in a greenhouse.
 The Greenhouse Effect

• Sunshine enters the Earth’s atmosphere

passing through the blanket of greenhouse
gases.
• As it reaches the Earth’s surface, land,
water, and biosphere absorb the sunlight’s
energy! Once absorbed this energy is sent
back into the atmosphere.
 How do greenhouses work?

• Some of the energy

passes back into space.

• Much of it remains
trapped in the
atmosphere by the
greenhouse gases,
causing our world to
heat up.
 The greenhouse effect is important.

• Without the greenhouse effect, the Earth would

not be warm enough for humans to live.

• But if the greenhouse effect becomes stronger, it

could make the Earth warmer than usual.

• Even a little warming

causes problems for
plants and animals.
 Greenhouse Effect

• Without these gases, heat would escape back into

space and Earth’s average temperature would be
about 60 º F colder.

• Because of how they

warm our world, these
gases are referred to
as greenhouse gases.
 What are these gases?

• The greenhouse gases

are:

➢ Water Vapour
➢ Carbon dioxide
➢ Nitrous Oxide
➢ Methane
➢ CFCs
Water Vapour

• There is more water in the atmosphere than carbon

dioxide so most of the greenhouse heating of the Earth’s
surface is due to water vapour.

• The water vapour content in the atmosphere is constant

which means it hasn’t changed.
 Water Vapour
• Water vapour is the biggest contributor to the
“natural greenhouse effect”
• Human activities have little impact on the level of
water vapour.
 Carbon Dioxide

• Our atmosphere contains many natural gases other

than ozone. One of these natural gases is carbon
dioxide.

• Our atmosphere needs a

certain amount of this gas.
It is carbon dioxide that helps
to keep the Earth warm.
 Carbon Dioxide

• This gas holds in just enough heat from the

sun to keep animals and plants alive.
• If it held in more heat than it does the
climate on Earth would grow too hot for
some kinds of life.
• If it held in less heat, Earth’s climate would
be too cold.
 Carbon Dioxide

• Carbon Dioxide is probably the most important of

the greenhouse gases and is currently responsible
for 60 % of the ‘enhanced greenhouse effect’
• Enhanced
➢ Human activities, not natural.

Global carbon dioxide emissions

 Carbon Dioxide
• For the past 100 years,
the amount of carbon
dioxide in our
atmosphere seems to
have been increasing.

• Why is this happening?

• What is it doing to the

Earth’s atmosphere?
Where do all the carbon dioxide gases come
from?
• Carbon dioxide
➢ Human respiration.
➢ Industrialization
➢ Burning of fossil fuel to generate electricity
➢ Burning of forest (lesser trees)
➢ CO2 is now 1/3 more than before Industrial
Revolution
 Carbon Dioxide

• Burning fossil fuels release the carbon dioxide

stored millions of years ago.

• We use fossil fuels to run vehicles (petrol, diesel,

and kerosene), heat homes, businesses, and power
factories.
 Nitrous Oxide

• Nitrous oxide makes up an extremely small

amount of the atmosphere – It is less than
one-thousandth as abundant as carbon
dioxide.

• However it is 200 to 300 times more

effective in trapping heat than carbon
dioxide.
 Nitrous Oxide
• Nitrous Oxide has one of the longest atmosphere
lifetimes of the greenhouse gases, lasting for up to
150 years.

• Since the Industrial Revolution, the level of nitrous

oxide in the atmosphere has increased by 16%.
 Nitrous Oxide

• The impact of
human activities

➢ Burning fossil fuels and

wood
➢ Widespread use of
fertilizers
➢ Sewage treatment
plants
Where do all nitrous oxide gases come
from?
• Nitrous Oxide
➢ Vehicle exhaust
➢ Nitrogen based fertilisers
 Methane
• The importance of
methane in the
greenhouse effect is
it’s warming effect.

• It occurs in lower
concentrations than
carbon dioxide but it
produces 21 times as
much warming as
carbon dioxide.
 Methane

• Methane accounts for

20%of the ‘enhanced
greenhouse effect’.
• It remains in the
atmosphere for 10-12
years. (Less than other
greenhouse gases)
 Methane
• Human Activities
– An increase in livestock farming and rice growing has led
to an increase in atmospheric methane. Other sources
are the extraction of fossil fuels, landfill sites and the
burning of biomass.
– Methane concentration in the atmosphere has more than
doubled during the last 200 yr. Some of this methane is
produced by ricefields
 Where do all the methane gases come from?

• Methane
➢ Produced by bacteria living in swampy areas.
• Wet rice cultivation
➢ Waste in landfills
➢ Rearing of livestock
• When cows belch (burp)
➢ Each molecule can trap 20 times as much
heat as a CO2 molecule.
Where do all the CFCs come
from?

• CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons)
▪ Aerosol sprays
▪ Making foam packaging
▪ Coolants in fridge and air cons
▪ Cleaning solvents
➢ Each CFC molecule can trap as much heat as
100 000 CO2 molecule.
➢ Can remain in the atmosphere for a long time
(up to 20 000 years)
 Global Warming

• The average global temperature has increased by

almost 1º C over the past century.

• Scientists expect the average global temperature to

increase an additional 2º to 6º C over the next
hundred years.
 Global Warming

• At the peak of the last

ice age (18, 000 years
ago) the temperature
was only 7 º colder
than it is today, and
glaciers covered much
of North America.
 Global Warming
• Even a small increase in temperature over a long
time can change the climate.

• When the climate changes, there may be big changes

in the things that people depend on.
 Global Warming

• These things include the level

of the oceans and the places
where we plant crops. They
also include the air we breathe
and the water we drink.
 Global Warming

• It is important to understand that scientists don’t

know for sure what global warming will bring.

• Some changes may be good.

➢ Eg. If you live in a very cool climate , warmer temperatures
might be welcome.
 Global Warming

• Days and nights would

be more comfortable
and people in the area
may be able to grow
different and better
crops than they could
before.
 Global Warming

• Changes in some
places will not be good
at all.
➢ Human Health
➢ Ecological Systems
(Plants and animals)
➢ Sea Level Rise
➢ Crops and Food Supply
 Human Health
• Heat stress and other heat related health problems
are caused directly by very warm temperatures and
high humidity.

• Heat stress – A variety of problems associated with

very warm temperatures and high humidity eg.
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
 Ecological Systems
• Plants and animals
➢ Climate change may alter the world’s habitats.
All living things are included in and rely on these places.

➢ Most past climate changes occurred slowly, allowing

plants and animals to adapt to the new environment or
move someplace else.

➢ Plants and animals may not be able to react quickly

enough to survive if future climate changes occur as
rapidly as scientists predict.
 Sea Level Rise

• Global Warming may make the sea level

become higher. Why?
• Warmer weather makes glaciers melt.
• Melting glaciers add more water to the
ocean.
• Warmer weather also makes water expand.
• When water expands in the ocean, it takes
up more space and the level of the sea rises.
Rising Sea Levels
• When earth’s temperature rises, sea level is likely to
rise too:
➢ Higher temperature  sea water to expand in
volume
➢ Ice caps at poles to melt
 Sea Level Rise

• Sea level may rise between several inches and as

much as 3 feet during the next century.
• Coastal flooding could cause saltwater to flow into
areas where salt is harmful, threatening plants
and animals in those areas.
• Oceanfront property would be affected by
flooding.
• Coastal flooding may also reduce the quality of
drinking water in coastal areas.
 Crops and Food Supply

• Global warming may make the Earth warmer in cold

places.
• People living in these areas may have the chance to
grow crops in new areas.
• But global warming might bring droughts to other
places where we grow crops.
 What Might Happen?
• This warming trend is expected to bring
droughts and flooding of low lying coastal areas
as the polar ice caps melt and raise sea level.
• The expected negative impact of the greenhouse
effect on human life has been assessed by some
scientists to be second only to global nuclear war.
Climatic Change
• Global warming will lead to an increase in the
evaporation of water  more water vapour.
• With more water vapour, more rain fall is expected.
• But it is not evenly distributed:
➢ Dry areas  severe drought condition, water
shortage and heat waves occurs
➢ Wet areas  floods and avalanches (landslides)
Climatic Change
• Other problems may arise:
➢ Destroy food crop  rice, wheat and corn
➢ Affect animals  need to migrate
➢ Encourage growth of weed and pests  may
lead to diseases like dengue fever, cholera
which are deadly.
 What can we do about it?
• There are many little things that we can do to
make a difference to reduce the amount of
greenhouse gases that we put into the
atmosphere.
• Many greenhouse gases come from things we do
every day.
• Driving a car or using electricity is not wrong.
We just have to be smart
➢ Eg. Try carpooling
 Ways you can help make our planet better.

• Read – Learning about

the environment is
very important.

• Save Electricity –
Whenever we use
electricity, we help put
greenhouse gases into
the air.
➢ Turn off lights, the
television and the
computer.
 Ways you can help make our planet better.
• Bike, Bus and Walk-
You can saves energy
by sometimes taking
the bus, riding a bike
or walking.

• Talk to Your Family

and Friends – about
global warming. Let
them know what
you’ve learned.
 Ways you can help make our planet better.

• Recycle – When you recycle, you send less trash to

the landfill and you help save natural resources like
trees and elements such as aluminum.

➢ Recycle cans, bottles,

plastic bags and newspapers.
 Ways you can help make our planet better.
• When You Buy, Buy
Cool Stuff
➢ Buy Products that
don’t use as much
energy
➢ Buy recyclable
products instead of
non-recyclable ones.

• Solar Energy – can be

used to heat homes,
buildings, water and to
make electricity.
 Ways you can help make our planet better.

• Cars – cause pollution and release a lot of

greenhouse gases into the air.
➢Some cars are better for the environment –
They travel longer on a smaller amount of fuel.
They don’t pollute as much.
➢Using these cars can help reduce can help
reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the
air.
 The Long-Term Stability of Earth’s
Climate−400,000 years
• The atmospheric
concentration of CO2
measured from Antarctic
ice core data implies that
Earth’s climate has being
pretty stable over the
past 400,000 years
• It also shows a rapid
increase of about 30%
in the past few Fluctuations in temperature (blue) and in the atmospheric
centuries… concentration of carbon dioxide (red) over the past 400,000 years as

– 270 ppm (parts per inferred from Antarctic ice-core records. The vertical red bar is the
increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels over the past two
million) to 370 ppm centuries and before 2006. From A. V. Fedorov et al. Science 312,
1485 (2006)17. 18.
Reproduced from EPA Climate Change Website.
 Ultimately
• The problem really is that we don’t know how the climate
machine works, hence it is difficult at present to say that the
warming is due to the increase of greenhouse gases and not the
results of natural fluctuation of the global climate system.
• Recently, there seems to be increasing evidence showing the
connection between the global warming and industrial injection
of greenhouse gases. However, the extent is still not clear.
• Hopefully, with more research we can say more definitely in the
near future.
What is acid rain?

What is the effect of acid rain?

What can be done about acid rain?

What is alternative fuel?

How to reduce our reliance on petroleum based fuel?

 Acid Rain

Acid rain is basically rain that has a higher than normal

acid level (low pH) (pH value between 5 and 5.6).
 Causes of Acid Rain
• Burning coal. Oil and natural
gas in power stations makes
electricity, giving off sulphur
dioxide gas.
• Burning petrol and oil in
vehicle engines gives off
nitrogen oxides as gases.
• These gases mix with water
vapour and rainwater in the
atmosphere producing weak
solutions of sulphuric and
nitric acids – which fall as
acid rain.
 The Problem!
People probably couldn't live without
electricity! Therefore coal will continue to be burnt.
Also, electricity and energy are constantly
being overused.

Think of it this way: every time you turn on a

light switch or the television set without really
needing to, you're indirectly contributing to the acid
rain problem.
 More problems!!!
• Acid rain can travel long distances.

• Often it doesn’t fall where the gas is

produced. High chimneys disperse
(spread) the gases and winds blow
them great distances before they
dissolve and fall to Earth as rain.

• Eg gases produced in England and

Western Europe can result in acid
rain in Scotland and Scandinavia.
 How Acid Rain Affects The
Environment
Acid rain is an extremely destructive
form of pollution, and the
environment suffers from its effects.
Forests, trees, lakes, animals, and
plants suffer from acid rain.
Trees
The needles and leaves of the trees
turn brown and fall off.
Trees can also suffer from stunted
growth; and have damaged bark
and leaves, which makes them
vulnerable to weather, disease, and
insects.
All of this happens partly
because of direct contact
between trees and acid rain,
but it also happens when
trees absorb soil that has
come into contact with acid
rain.
The soil poisons the tree
with toxic substances that
the rain has deposited into
it.
Lakes are also damaged by acid rain. Fish die off, and
that removes the main source of food for birds. Acid rain
can even kill fish before they are born when the eggs are
laid and come into contact with the acid.

Fish usually die only when the acid level of a lake is

high; when the acid level is lower, they can become sick,
suffer stunted growth, or lose their ability to reproduce.

Also, birds can die from eating "toxic" fish and insects.
 Buildings
Acid rain dissolves the stonework and mortar of buildings
(especially those made out of sandstone or limestone).
It reacts with the minerals in the stone to form a powdery
substance that can be washed away by rain.
 Transport
Currently, both the railway industry and the aeroplane
industry are having to spend a lot of money to repair the
corrosive damage done by acid rain. Also, bridges have
collapsed in the past due to acid rain corrosion.
 Humans
Humans can become seriously ill,
and can even die from the effects of
acid rain. One of the major
problems that acid rain can cause in
a human being is respiratory
problems.

Many can find it difficult to breathe,

especially people who have
asthma. Asthma, along with dry
coughs, headaches, and throat
irritations can be caused by the
sulphur dioxides and nitrogen
oxides from acid rain.
Acid rain can be absorbed by both plants (through soil
and/or direct contact) and animals (from things they eat
and/or direct contact). When humans eat these plants or
animals, the toxins inside of their meals can affect them.
Brain damage, kidney problems, and Alzheimer's disease
has been linked to people eating "toxic" animals/plants.
Research carried out in North
America in 1982, revealed that
sulphur pollution killed 51,000 people
and about 200,000 people become ill
as a result of the pollution.
What are
the
solutions
to acid
rain?
 Solutions
• 1. Sulphur dioxide can be removed from power
stations chimneys but this process is expensive.
• 2. Reduce the amount of electricity we use
- turn tv’s off at the mains, don’t leave on
standby.
- turn off lights when a room is not in use.
• 3. Use renewable energy like wind power, solar
panels, tidal power, and geothermal energy.
• 4. Fit catalytic converters to vehicle exhausts
which remove the nitrogen oxides.
• 5. Limit the number of vehicles on the roads and
increase public transport.
 Chemistry of oxides of Sulfur

SO2+ OH. HOSO2.

HOSO2. + O2 SO3 + HO2.

SO3 + H2O H2SO4

CASE STUDY -2
Taj Mahal’s marble cancer

H2SO4

Lime stone Gypsum

 Stoichiometric air -fuel ratio

Determine air-to-fuel ratio required for complete combustion of gasoline

C7H13 +10.25 O2 + 38.54 N2 7CO2 + 6.5 H2O + 38.54 N2

3.76 moles of N2 accompany every mole of O2 in air

 Open book assignment

1. Write down the methods of controlling air pollution. (maximum valid points)

Briefly describe about each methods (3-5 lines for each method)

2. Which alternative fuels can currently be used? Write a brief description for each
alternative fuels.

3.What are the major secondary pollutants and how are they formed?
TECHNOLOGY FOR AIR POLLUTION
CONTROL
TECHNIQUES WITHOUT USING EMISSIONS
CONTROL DEVICES
 Process Change

 Wind, Geothermal, Hydroelectric, or Solar Unit instead of Fossil

fired Unit.

 Change in Fuel
 e.g. Use of Low Sulfur Fuel, instead of High Sulfur fuel.

 Good Operating Practices

 Good Housekeeping
 Maintenance

 Plant Shutdown
COMMONLY USED METHODS FOR AIR POLLUTION
CONTROL
PARTICULATE
• Cyclones
• Electrostatic Precipitators
• Fabric Filter
• Wet Scrubbers

GASES
• Adsorption Towers
• Thermal Incernation
• Catalytic Combustion
SOX CONTROL
GENERAL METHODS FOR CONTROL OF SO2
EMISSIONS
Change to Low Sulfur Fuel
• Natural Gas
• Liquefied Natural Gas
• Low Sulfur Oil
• Low Sulfur Coal

Use Desulfurized Coal and Oil Increase Effective Stack

Height
• Build Tall Stacks
• Redistribution of Stack Gas Velocity Profile
GENERAL METHODS FOR CONTROL OF SO2
EMISSIONS (CONTD.)
 Use Flue Gas Desulfurization Systems

 Use Alternative Energy Sources, such as Hydro-Power or

Nuclear-Power
FLUE GAS DESULFURIZATION
 SO2 scrubbing, or Flue Gas Desulfurization processes can
be classified as:
• Throwaway or Regenerative, depending upon whether the
recovered sulfur is discarded or recycled.
• Wet or Dry, depending upon whether the scrubber is a liquid or a
solid.

 Flue Gas Desulfurization Processes

The major flue gas desulfurization ( FGD ), processes are :
• Limestone Scrubbing
• Lime Scrubbing
• Dual Alkali Processes
• Lime Spray Drying
LIMESTONE SCRUBBING
LIMESTONE SCRUBBING
 Limestone slurry is sprayed on the incoming flue gas.
The sulfur dioxide gets absorbed The limestone and the
sulfur dioxide react as follows :
CaCO3 + H2O + 2SO2 ----> Ca+2 + 2HSO3-+ CO2
CaCO3 + 2HSO3-+ Ca+2 ----> 2CaSO3 + CO2 + H2O
LIME SCRUBBING
LIME SCRUBBING
 The equipment and the processes are similar to those in
limestone scrubbing . Lime Scrubbing offers better
utilization of the reagent. The operation is more flexible.
The major disadvantage is the high cost of lime
compared to limestone.
The reactions occurring during lime scrubbing are :
CaO + H2O -----> Ca(OH)2
SO2 + H2O <----> H2SO3
H2SO3 + Ca(OH)2 -----> CaSO3.2 H2O
CaSO3.2 H2O + (1/2)O2 -----> CaSO4.2 H2O
NOX CONTROL
BACKGROUND ON NITROGEN OXIDES
 There are seven known oxides of nitrogen :
• NO
• NO2
• NO3
• N2O
• N2O3
• N2O4
• N2O5
NO and NO2 are the most common of the seven oxides listed
above. NOx released from stationary sources is of two types
GENERAL METHODS FOR CONTROL OF NOX
EMISSIONS
 NOx control can be achieved by:
• Fuel Denitrogenation

• Combustion Modification

• Modification of operating conditions

• Tail-end control equipment

• Selective Catalytic Reduction

• Selective Non - Catalytic Reduction

• Electron Beam Radiation

• Staged Combustion
FUEL DENITROGENATION

o One approach of fuel denitrogenation is to remove a large part of the nitrogen

contained in the fuels. Nitrogen is removed from liquid fuels by mixing the fuels
with hydrogen gas, heating the mixture and using a catalyst to cause nitrogen in
the fuel and gaseous hydrogen to unite. This produces ammonia and cleaner
fuel.

 This technology can reduce the nitrogen contained in both naturally

occurring and synthetic fuels.
COMBUSTION MODIFICATION
 Combustion control uses one of the following strategies:
• Reduce peak temperatures of the flame zone. The methods are :
• increase the rate of flame cooling
• decrease the adiabatic flame temperature by dilution
• Reduce residence time in the flame zone. For this we change the
shape of the flame zone
• Reduce Oxygen concentration in the flame one. This can be
accomplished by:
• decreasing the excess air
• controlled mixing of fuel and air
• using a fuel rich primary flame zone
CATALYTIC COMBUSTION
CATALYTIC EMISSION CONTROL
CARBON MONOXIDE CONTROL
FORMATION OF CARBON MONOXIDE
• Due to insufficient oxygen

• Factors affecting Carbon monoxide formation:

• Fuel-air ratio

• Degree of mixing

• Temperature
GENERAL METHODS FOR CONTROL OF CO
EMISSIONS
• Control carbon monoxide formation.
Note : CO & NOx control strategies are in conflict.

• Stationary Sources
• Proper Design
• Installation
• Operation
• Maintenance

• Process Industries
• Burn in furnaces or waste heat boilers.
CARBON DIOXIDE CONTROL
SOURCES OF CARBON DIOXIDE
Human-Related Sources
 Combustion of fossil fuels: Coal, Oil, and Natural Gas in
power plants, automobiles, and industrial facilities
 Use of petroleum-based products

 Industrial processes: Iron and steel production, cement,

lime, and aluminum manufactures

Natural Sources
 Volcanic eruptions

 Ocean-atmosphere exchange

 Plant photosynthesis
GENERAL METHODS FOR CONTROL OF CO2
EMISSIONS
 Reducing energy consumption, increasing the efficiency
of energy conversion

 Switching to less carbon intensive fuels

 Increasing the use of renewable sources

 Sequestering CO2 through biological, chemical, or

physical processes
CONTROL OF MERCURY EMISSIONS
MERCURY EMISSIONS
 Mercury exists in trace amounts in
 Fossil fuels such as Coal, Oil, and Natural Gas
 Vegetation
 Waste products

 Mercury is released to the atmosphere through combustion or

natural processes
 It creates both human and environmental risks

 Fish consumption is the primary pathway for human and

wildlife exposure
 United states is the first country in the world to regulate
mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants (March 15,
2005).
 Types of Sources

Source: Seingeur, 2004 and Mason and Sheu, 2002.

Worldwide Distribution of Emissions

Source: Presentation by J. Pacyna and J. Munthe at mercury workshop in Brussels,

March 29-30, 2004
CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES FOR MERCURY
EMISSIONS
 Currently installed control devices for SO2, NOX, and particulates, in a
power plant, remove some of the mercury before releasing from the
stack

 Activated Carbon Injection:

Particles of activated carbon are injected into the exit gas flow, downstream
of the boiler. The mercury attaches to the carbon particles and is removed in
a particle control device

 Thief process for the removal of mercury from flue gas:

It is a process which extracts partially burned coal from a pulverized coal-
fired combustor using a suction pipe, or "thief," and injects the resulting
sorbent into the flue gas to capture the mercury.
 PARTICULATE MATTER CONTROL

Range: 20 to 40000 mg/m**3

First step: Process control
Second step: Use of collection device
INDUSTRIAL SOURCES OF PARTICULATE EMISSIONS
• Iron & Steel Mills, the blast furnaces, steel making furnaces.
• Petroleum Refineries, the catalyst regenerators, air-blown asphalt
stills, and sludge burners.
• Portland cement industry
• Asphalt batching plants
• Production of sulfuric acid
• Production of phosphoric acid
• Soap and Synthetic detergent manufacturing
• Glass & glass fiber industry
• Instant coffee plants
EFFECTS OF PARTICULATE EMISSIONS
Primary Effects
• Reduction of visibility

• size distribution and refractive index of the particles

• direct absorption of light by particles
• direct light scattering by particles
• 150 micro g / m3 concentration ~ average visibility of 5 miles
( satisfactory for air and ground transportation )

• Soiling of nuisance
• increase cost of building maintenance, cleaning of furnishings,
and households
• threshold limit is 200 - 250 micro g / m3 ( dust )
• levels of 400 - 500 micro g / m3 considered as nuisance
GENERAL METHODS FOR CONTROL OF
PARTICULATE EMISSIONS
 Five Basic Types of Dust Collectors :

Gravity and Momentum collectors

• Settling chambers, louvers, baffle chambers
Centrifugal Collectors
• Cyclones
• Mechanical centrifugal collectors

Fabric Filters
• Baghouses
• Fabric collectors
GENERAL METHODS FOR CONTROL OF
PARTICULATE EMISSIONS (CONTD.)
Electrostatic Precipitators
• Tubular
• Plate
• Wet
• Dry

Wet Collectors
• Spray towers
• Impingement scrubbers
• Wet cyclones
• Peaked towers
• Mobile bed scrubbers
PARTICULATE COLLECTION MECHANISM
• Gravity Settling
• Centrifugal Impaction
• Inertial Impaction
• Direct Interception
• Diffusion
• Electrostatic Effects
Tubular Dust Collector Arrangement for an
ESP