Airpollution

7 SEM VTU
 VTU Questions - Unit wise

Air Pollution & Control Question Bank :

Unit Wise VTU Question papers :
UNIT 1 :
1. Define air pollution and discuss the different sources of air pollutants in detail. (DEC.
2011, JUNE 2012 DEC 2013/JAN 2014,June/ July 2013)
2. Briefly explain primary and secondary air pollutants with example ( DEC. 2011,
JUNE 2012 ,DEC 2013/JAN 2014, July 2014)
3. Explain photo chemical smog and coal induced smog. (DEC. 2011, JUNE / JULY
13)
UNIT 2 :
1. List the recorded major air pollution episodes chronologically. ( JUNE / JULY 12)
2. Explain the effect of air pollution on human beings. ( DEC 11, DEC 2013/JAN 14,
JUNE / JULY 12)
3. Write briefly the effect of air pollution on monuments in India. (DEC 12/JAN 13)
4. Explain the effects of air pollution on materials and plants. (DEC. 2011, DEC
2013/JAN 2014, JUNE / JULY 12)
5. Explain briefly on air pollution episodes of London smog and Bhopal gas tragedy.
(DEC. 2011, DEC 2013/JAN 2014 ,JUNE / JULY 12, JUNE / JULY13 1 JUNE / JULY14)
UNIT 3 :
1. List the meteorological parameters that influence the dispersion of pollutants in
atmosphere. (DEC. 2011, DEC 12/JAN 13)
2. Write a note on Atmospheric stability and temperature inversions. (JUNE/JULY 13,
DEC 2013/JAN 2014, JUNE / JULY 14)
3. What is a wind rose diagram? Explain with a neat sketch. (DEC. 12 / JAN. 13 JUNE
/ JULY 14,)
4. Explain different environmental lapse rates and their effects on dispersion of air
pollutants. (JUNE/JULY 13, DEC 2013/JAN 2014, JUNE / JULY 14)
5. Sketch and explain different kinds of plumes depending upon different
environmental conditions (any four). (DEC. 2011, JUNE / JULY14, DEC 2013/JAN
2014)
UNIT 4:
1. List the methods of sampling suspended particulate matter and explain anyone in
detail with sketch. (DEC. 12 / JAN. 13)
2. Define the term air sampling and explain the basic considerations to be made
during air sampling. (DEC. 11/ JAN. 12)
3. What is Inversion? Explain different types of inversions. (JUNE / JULY14)
4. Explain the factors influencing the industrial plant location and planning. (DEC.
2011, DEC 2013/JAN 2014)
5. Define noise. Discuss in brief the various sources of noise. Write a brief note on noise
abatement and control. (DEC 2013/JAN 2014)
UNIT 5:
1. Explain with sketches the following air pollution control equipment:
i. Spray towers
ii. Cyclones
iii. Pipe-type precipitator (JUNE / JULY 13,DEC/JAN 12, DEC 2013/JAN 2014, JUNE / JULY
14)
2. Explain the working of high volume air sampler, with a sketch. (DEC/ JAN. 12,DEC
2013/JAN 2014)
3. Explain the principle and working of a cyclone separator, with a sketch. ( DEC
2013/JAN 2014, JUNE / JULY 14)
4. With a neat sketch, describe the methods of gaseous sampling by sampling train.
(DEC. 2011, DEC 2013/JAN 2014)
5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of electrostatic precipitators? (DEC.
2011, DEC/JAN 12,JUNE / JULY 14)
6.Determine the effective height of stack from the following data. (JUNE/JULY 2014)
i) Physical height of stack = 180 m
ii) Inside dia of stack = 0.95 m
iii) Wind velocity = 2.75 m/sec
iv) Air temperature = 20 oC
v) Borometric pressure = 1000 mb
vi) Stack gas velocity = 11.12 m/sec
vii) Stack gas temperature = 160oC
UNIT 6:
1. What are the factors to be considered while selecting a site for industrial plant
location? Explain. (DEC. 12 / JAN. 13)
2. Explain air pollution due to automobiles. (DEC. 2011, JUNE / JULY 14)
3. Discuss the phenomenon of acid rain and its effect. (JUNE / JULY 13, JUNE / JULY14,
DEC 2013/JAN 2014)
4. With a sketch, explain the principle and operation of an electrostatic precipitator. (
DEC 2013/JAN 2014, JUNE / JULY 14)
5. Explain with a neat sketch, the principle and construction of fabric filter. Give
applications. (DEC. 2011, DEC 2013/JAN 2014, DEC 2013/JAN 2014, JUNE / JULY 14)
UNIT 7:
1. Explain the causes and effects of ozone layer depletion in stratosphere. (DEC
2013/JAN 2014)
2. Briefly discuss the different control measures adopted to check the air pollutants
emitted by automobiles. (DEC. 2011, JUNE / JULY 14)
3. Explain the causes and effects of acid rain. (DEC. 2011, DEC 2013/JAN 2014)
4. Explain Global warming. (DEC. 2011, DEC 2013/JAN 2014)
UNIT 8:
1. Define air quality standards. (JAN 11,DEC 2013/JAN 2014, DEC 2013/JAN 2014, JUNE
 Air Pollution Its defined as any
atmospheric condition in which certain
substances are present in such concentrations
that can produce undesirable effects on
humans, animals or plants and their
environment.

Air Pollutants : Any substance in air that could, in high enough

concentration, harm animals, humans, vegetation, and/or
materials. Such pollutants may be present as solid particles, liquid
droplets, or gases.
Air pollutants are classified as:
Based on Origin
1. Primary Pollutants : those emitted from identifiable sources. Ex: SO2 ,
CO, NO & NO2
2. Secondary Pollutants : those formed in the air by interaction between
other pollutants or atmosphere. Ex: Some Ozone , H2SO4 & HNO3
Based on States of Matter
1. Gaseous Pollutants : CO, NOx , SOx
2. Particulate Pollutants : fumes, mist, fog etc.
Based on Chemical Composition
1. Organic : Aldehydes, Ketones, Alcohols etc
2. Inorganic : CO, NOx , SOx , Halogens etc
Over 100 air pollutants have been identified, which include
halogen compounds, nitrogen compounds, oxygen compounds,
radioactive compounds, sulphur (sulfur) compounds, and volatile
organic chemicals (VOC).
Air Pollutants
Particulate Matter : Particulate matter is the sum of all solid and liquid particles
suspended in air many of which are hazardous. This complex mixture includes both
organic and inorganic particles. It has no fixed composition, it may consists of either
only one chemical (sulphate or H2SO4) or number of pollutants (Dust, Chemicals and
Metals) . such as
Pollutant Particle origin Definition Characters & effects
sizes

Dust 1- By natural fine, dry powder PM10 (Dia 10-2.5 microns)

200m disintegration consisting of tiny Inhalable Coarse
of rocks & soil particles of earth or
waste matter lying on
particles, Undergo rapid
and by sedimentation, Bypass
the ground or on
mechanical
surfaces or carried in the the natural defences of
process of air. the body and enters
grinding and
spraying lungs.

Smoke 0.01- Combustion or a visible suspension of PM2.5 (Dia 2.5) Remains

1m other chemical carbon or other particles
in air, typically one
suspended in air and
process
emitted from a burning can travel very long
substance. distances. Penetrate
deeper into lungs and
Fumes 0.1- Chemical & an amount of gas or
damage tissues.
1m Metallurgical vapour that smells
Process strongly or is dangerous
to inhale. PM0.1 (smaller than
0.1microns)- Ultra fine
Mist <10m By a thick cloud of tiny
Condensation water droplets nano particles, consists
in atm or suspended in the of inorganic ions,
released from atmosphere at or near hydrocarbons and
the earth's surface
industrial metals. Passes from lung
which obscures or
operations restricts visibility tissues to blood stream &
circulates like oxygen
Fog <10m It is dense mist which
molecules
can obscure vision

Aerosol <1m An aerosol is a colloid of These particles also effect

fine solid particles (Solid
aerosols) or liquid
droplets (liquid aerosols)
suspended in air or
another gas.
climatic properties like visibility
& contributes to global
warming.

Oxides of Character Effects

Sulphur
SO2 Colourless gas with characteristic sharp SO2 damages plants &
pungent odour and moderately soluble Reduces plant yield.
in water.
It reacts with other pollutants or It irritates eyes and damages
atmospheric constituents to form sulphur respiratory system (lungs).
trioxide, sulphuric acid and salts of
sulphuric acid Acids formed dissolves in rain
water and forms acid rain.
SO3 It combines with moisture in atmosphere
to form sulphuric acid
Oxides of Character Effects
Nitrogen
Nitrous Colourless odourless The irritant red haze in traffic &
oxide(N2O) nontoxic congested places is due to oxides of
nitrogen.
Nitric oxide Colourless odourless
Higher concentrations of NO2
(NO)
damages leaves and retards the rate
NO2 Brown pungent gas with of photosynthesis .
an irritating odour It is also a lung irritant that can lead
to respiratory diseases in children

Oxides of Character Effects

carbon
CO Colourless odourless non
corrosive and tasteless
The rate of oxidation of
CO to CO2 in atmosphere
is very slow
CO2 Colourless sweet smelling
gas that is non toxic in low
concentrations
It effects haemoglobin The O2
carrying component of the blood
stream and forms carboxy-
haemoglobin which is life
threatening.
It is a major constituent for green
house effect. And effects plant and
animal health at higher
concentrations

Hydrocarbons - a hydrocarbon is an organic compound consisting entirely of

hydrogen and carbon. They themselves cannot cause any harm by undergo
chemical reactions in presence of sunlight & nitrogen oxides forming
photochemical oxidants (like Ozone), examples.:
Hydrocarbons Character Effects

Saturated - Alkane Colourless and odourless gas Its a green house

methane & Most abundant of gas.
hydrocarbons present in
urban atmosphere
Unsaturated - Acetylene Its a hydrocarbon usually Leaf curling and
- Ethylene present in plants and dropping
responsible for fruit ripening
Aromatic Class - Colourless liquid with a Blood Disorders,
Benzene etc characteristic odour Irritation in eye, skin,
leukaemia, etc

Ozone Origin Character & effects

Secondary pollutant Its a toxic gas that

created by the action can bring irreversible
of Sunlight on VOCs & damage to the
oxides of nitrogen. respiratory tract &
impair lung functions if
 Table 1: Sources, Health and Welfare Effects for Criteria Pollutants.

Pollutant Description Sources Health Effects Welfare Effects

Carbon Colorless, Motor vehicle Headaches, reduced Contribute to
Monoxide odorless gas exhaust, indoor mental alertness, heart the formation
(CO) sources include attack, cardiovascular of smog.
kerosene or wood diseases, impaired fetal
burning stoves. development, death.

Sulfur Colorless gas Coal-fired power Eye irritation, wheezing, Contribute to

Dioxide that dissolves plants, petroleum chest tightness, the formation
(SO2) in water refineries, shortness of breath, of acid rain,
vapor to form manufacture of lung damage. visibility
acid, and sulfuric acid and impairment,
interact with smelting of ores plant and
other gases containing sulfur. water
and particles damage,
in the air. aesthetic
damage.
Nitrogen Reddish Motor vehicles, Susceptibility to Contribute to
Dioxide brown, highly electric utilities, and respiratory infections, the formation
(NO2) reactive gas. other industrial, irritation of the lung of smog, acid
commercial, and and respiratory rain, water
residential sources symptoms (e.g., quality
that burn fuels. cough, chest pain, deterioration,
difficulty breathing). global
warming, and
visibility
impairment.
Ozone (O3) Gaseous Vehicle exhaust and Eye and throat Plant and
pollutant certain other irritation, coughing, ecosystem
when it is fumes. Formed from respiratory tract damage.
formed in the other air pollutants in problems, asthma, lung
troposphere. the presence of damage.
sunlight.

Lead (Pb) Metallic Metal refineries, lead Anemia, high blood Affects animals
element smelters, battery pressure, brain and and plants,
manufacturers, iron kidney damage, affects aquatic
and steel producers. neurological disorders, ecosystems.
cancer, lowered IQ.

Particulate Very small Diesel engines, Eye irritation, asthma, Visibility

Matter (PM) particles of power plants, bronchitis, lung impairment,
soot, dust, or industries, damage, cancer, atmospheric
other matter, windblown dust, heavy metal poisoning, deposition,
including tiny wood stoves. cardiovascular effects. aesthetic
droplets of damage.
liquids.
Sources of air-pollution
according to number &
Spatial distribution

There are four main types of air pollution sources:

mobile sources such as cars, buses, planes, trucks,
and trains. Ex. Smoke, CO, CO2 etc.
stationary sources such as power plants, oil
refineries, industrial facilities, and factories. Ex:
Smoke, Hydrocarbons, CO etc
area sources such as agricultural areas, cities, and
wood burning fireplaces. Ex: haze, smog, smoke
etc.
natural sources such as wind-blown dust, wildfires,
and volcanoes. Ex: dust, smoke, gases etc
Mobile sources account for more than half of all
the air pollution and the primary mobile source of
air pollution is the automobile, according to the
Environmental Protection Agency. Stationary
sources, like power plants, emit large amounts of
pollution from a single location, these are also
known as point sources of pollution. Area sources
are made up of lots of smaller pollution sources that
aren't a big deal by themselves but when
considered as a group can be. Natural sources can
sometimes be significant but do not usually create
ongoing air pollution problems like the other source
types can.
 Classification of air-pollution
sources acc. to the source type
There are 2 types :- 1. Natural 2. Manmade
Natural : such as wind-blown dust, wildfires, pollen grains
and volcanoes etc.
Manmade or anthropogenic :

Source type Category Sources pollutants

Combustion Stationary Power plants, industrial SOx, NOx, CO, Smoke, fly ash,
boilers, Diesel generators metal oxides etc
etc
Mobile Motor vehicles CO, HCs, NOx, SO2, Particles

Roasting & Non ferrous Roasting, Smelting & Dust, Smoke, metal fumes (Cu,
Heating Refining operations Pd, Zn), SOx
Processes
Ferrous Blast furnace, steel Smoke, fumes, CO odours,
furnaces etc H2S2, Fluorides
Non-Metallic Crushed stone, gravel & Mineral & organic particles,
Sand processing, Cement SO2, NOx , Dust, Fumes
factories
Chemical Petroleum Biogas process, Heaters, SOx, HCs, NOx, Particulate
processes refining catalyst regenerators matter, CO, odour
Inorganic H2SO4 plants, fertilizer SO2, H2S, NOx, NH3,
chemicals manufacture plants etc particulate matter etc.
Organic Plastics, Soap, Pain & Particulate matter, Odours,
chemicals Varnish Manufacture SO2, CO, organic
intermediate products, gases
& vapours etcq
Pulp & Paper Digesters, washers, Particulate matter, odour,
processes recovery furnace, sulphur compounds, HC, SO2,
evaporators etc H2S
Food & Food Drying, Preserving & Vapours, Odours,, Dust
agriculture processing Packaging
Crop Pest & weed Control Organic phosphates,
Spraying & Chlorinated HC, Arsenic, lead
Dusting
Field burning Refuse burning Smoke, Fly ash, & Soot
 Behaviour & fate of Air
Pollutants

Even though large amount of air pollutants are

discharged into atmosphere, their ambient levels have
remained very much the same throughout the world
which shows that there are certain pathways of
exchange from the atmosphere to the earth, by which
the pollutants are continuously removed. These
pathways are.
For particulates:
1. wet removal by precipitation
2. Dry removal by sedimentation & Diffusion
For Gases
1. Wet removal by precipitation
2. Chemical reaction in the atmosphere to produce (or
adsorption on) aerosols
3. Adsorption or reaction at land and ocean surfaces

Wet precipitation it is most effective for Dry precipitation

both particulates and gases
Rain out Wash out Particles smaller than 0.1
microns often coagulates
It includes various It repairs to the through mutual collision &
processes taking place removal of forms larger aggregates
inside clouds where the pollutants below which are effectively
contaminants serve as the clouds by removed by gravitational
condensation nuclei on falling rain settling.
which droplets
condense.
 Chemical reactions in
atmosphere

Photochemical smog is a
Many pollutants undergo chemical reactions within mixture of pollutants that are
atmosphere & forms either new compounds or aerosols. formed when nitrogen oxides
and volatile organic
2SO2 + 2H2O 2H2SO4 + O2 (Catalysed by metal salts
compounds (VOCs) react to
of iron & Manganese)
sunlight, creating a brown
H2SO4 + 2NaCl Na2SO4 + H2O (Sodium Sulphate) haze above cities. It tends to
occur more often in summer,
H2SO4 + MgO MgSO4 + H2O (Magnesium sulphate) because that is when we
H2SO4 + 2NH3 (NH4)2SO4 (Ammonium Sulphate) have the most sunlight.
NO2 + Sunlight NO + O
SO3 is oxidized to SO2 which quickly combines with O + O2 O3
moisture to form H2SO4 mist which react with metal salts O3 + NO NO2 + O2
or metal oxides to form sulphates . Both acid droplets O + HC RCO (Acyl Radical)
& Sulphate particles are removed from atmosphere. RCO + O2 RCO3 (peroxy
acyl radical)
NO2 + O + M NO3 + M
RCO + O2 RCO2 + O3
NO2 + NO3 N2O5 (acylate radical)
RCO3 + HC RCHO
N2O5 + H2O 2HNO3 (Aldehydes)
NO2 reacts with atomic oxygen to form NO3 which RCO3 + NO R2CO
again reacts with NO2 to forms N2O5 which in presence (Ketones)
of moisture forms Nitric acid which is then washed out RCO2 + NO RCO + NO2
of the atmosphere by precipitation RCO2 + NO RCO + PAN
PAN = peroxyl acyl nitrates
2CO + O2 2CO2 (in presence of sunlight is found to The above equations
be very Slow and accounts for only 0.1 % for each hour represents the nature of the
of sunlight) overall photo chemical
CO + OH- CO2 + H+ (relatively fast with hydroxyl reactions leading to
radicals present in atmosphere) formation of smog

Another possible mechanism is the migration of CO into Coal Induced/industrial Smog

stratosphere. It is formed by burning coal
and heavy oils that contain
Al these gaseous pollutants including hydrocarbons sulphur impurities in power
interact by photochemical processes. This plants, industries etc.
phenomenon is known as PHOTOCHEMICAL SMOG It consists mostly of fog & SO2
SMOG = SMOKE + FOG can be of two types Suspended droplets od
H2SO4 were formed from
1. Photochemical smog some of the SO2 and
suspended particulate
2. Coal induced smog
matter. This smog is common
In winter season