Air Pollution and Control

Dr. Venkateswara Rao Mundlapati

Chemistry Department,
School of Applied Sciences
Campus 3,
Faculty block, 2nd Floor
venkateswara.mundlapatifch@kiit.ac.i
 Terminology
Pollutants are the substances either gaseous, liquid, or solids that can be
danger human health and welfare of plants and animals, attack materials,
reduce visibility or produce undesirable odours
Lead, Mercury, Sulfur dioxide, Carbon monoxide etc.

Contaminants are the materials introduced by humans to the nature

affecting environmental composition.

Contaminants are classified as pollutants when they exhibit detrimental

effects and release of gas from accidents ...
 Threshold Limit Value (TLV)
This indicates the permissible level of a toxic pollutant in atmosphere to which a healthy industrial worker is exposed
during an eight hour day without any adverse effect

TLV for Be and Zn are 0.002 and 1.00 mg/m3 respectively

Dissolved Oxygen (DO): Oxygen in quality water should

be 4-6 mg/L
 Air Pollution
Air pollution is defined as the introduction of pollutants, organic molecules, or other unsafe materials into Earth’s
atmosphere.
This can be in the form of excessive gases like carbon dioxide and other vapours that cannot be effectively
removed through natural cycles, such as the carbon cycle or the nitrogen cycle
Air Pollution
 Air Pollution
Air pollution is defined as the introduction of pollutants, organic molecules, or other unsafe materials into Earth’s
atmosphere.
This can be in the form of excessive gases like carbon dioxide and other vapours that cannot be effectively
removed through natural cycles, such as the carbon cycle or the nitrogen cycle
 Air Pollutants

Two types

Primary air pollutants Secondary air pollutants

Pollutants that are formed and emitted directly from Pollutants that are formed in the lower atmosphere by
particular sources. chemical reactions.
Examples are particulates, carbon monoxide, nitrogen Examples are ozone and secondary organic aerosol
oxide, and sulfur oxide. (haze)

Secondary pollutants are harder to control because they have different ways of synthesizing and the formation are not
well understood. They form naturally in the environment and cause problems like photochemical smog
Concentration units

Units = mass/volume
= mg/m3 or ppmv
 Classification of pollutants

Particulate Pollutants :

❑ The particles that pollute the air by being suspended can be defined as particulate pollutants. In
otherwards, Particulate matter, refer as PM (also called particle pollution): the term for a mixture of solid
particles and liquid droplets found in the air. Some particles, such as dust, dirt, soot, or smoke, are large
or dark enough to be seen with the naked eye.

❑ These particles are results of some anthropogenic processes like vehicles, industries, construction
sites/activities, etc. or natural sources like pollen, volcanic eruptions, natural gaseous precursors, etc.

❑ Their size ranges from 0.001 to 500 micrometers (µm) in diameter. PM10-2.5(also known as coarse
fraction particles) is generally defined as those particles with an aerodynamic diameter greater than 2.5
microns, but equal to or less than a nominal 10 microns.
 Classification of pollutants
o Particulate Pollutants and Gaseous Pollutants

Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM)

Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM)
Classification of pollutants
Classification of pollutants
 Particulate Pollutants
Lead
• Lead is one of the most hazardous heavy metals.
• Lead can cause serious damage to the human body like: Nervous system damage, Digestive issues, Kidney
damage, Impacts on intelligence
• Hence, Lead was banned as an additive to fuels and other products.
• Lead mixed with water and food can create cumulative poisoning.
• It has long term effects on children as it lowers intelligence.

Fly Ash
• Fly Ash is particles of oxides and other heavy metals. The majority of them are aluminum silicate (in large
amounts), silicon dioxide (SiO2), and calcium oxide (CaO).
• Thermal power plants are a major source of Fly Ash pollutants.
• Its deposition in agricultural fields can cause heavy metal contamination of crops and vegetables.
 Air Pollution: Gaseous Pollutants
Gaseous Pollutants Description Impacts
Carbon monoxide (CO) •Highly toxic. •Carbon monoxide poisoning.
•Produced from internal combustion •Produces carboxyhemoglobin
TLV: 50 ppm engines due to incomplete reducing the oxygen-carrying
combustion. capacity of the blood.
•Other sources are volcanoes, forest
fires, etc.
•Greenhouse gas.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) •Heavier than air. •CO2 is an asphyxiant gas (asphyxia:
•Source are volcanoes, fire, etc. a condition arising when the body is
TLV: 5000 ppm •Greenhouse gas. deprived of oxygen, causing
unconsciousness or death.).
•Has other harmful effects if a high
concentration of CO2 is inhaled like
dizziness, headache, etc.
•Carbonic rain in high polluted areas.
 Air Pollution: Gaseous Pollutants
Gaseous Pollutants Description Impacts
Nitrogen oxide (NOx) •Various oxides of Nitrogen come under •Aggravates Ashtamatic conditions and
NOX. other respiratory issues in humans.
TLV: 25 ppm •Caused due to the reaction between •Plays a major role in the formation of
oxygen and nitrogen at high temps such SMOG, acid rain (nitric acid), and the
as in combustion engines and industries. greenhouse effect.
Sulphur dioxide (SO2) •Pungent smelling colorless gas produced •Respiratory issues, premature deaths,
from mostly volcanic activities, industrial and death of certain nerves when inhaled.
TLV: 0.25 ppm averaged over an 8-hour processes, and production of sulphuric
workshift acid.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) •Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are •Irritations in eyes, skin, nose, and throat.
a large group of carbon-based chemicals •Long-term exposure can cause serious
that easily evaporate at room temperature. damage to the liver and other organs.
Carbon monoxide (CO)
Carbon monoxide (CO)
Carbon monoxide (CO): Effect
Carbon monoxide (CO): Effect
Nitrogen oxide (NOx)
Nitrogen oxide (NOx)
Nitrogen oxide (NOx)
Nitrogen oxide (NOx)
Sulphur oxide (SOx)
Sulphur dioxide (SO2)
Sulphur dioxide (SO2)
Hydrocarbons (Volatile organic compounds: VOCs)
Hydrocarbons (Volatile organic compounds: VOCs)
Hydrocarbons (Volatile organic compounds: VOCs)
Hydrocarbons (Volatile organic compounds: VOCs)
Hydrocarbons (Volatile organic compounds: VOCs)
Reducing smog (London smog)
 L.A. smog (los angeles smog 1943)

• The real cause of L.A. smog wasn’t determined until the

1950s.
• Ozone was the primary source of the haze. Ozone is
created when partially unburned exhaust from
automobiles and the hydrocarbons from oil refineries are
hit by sunlight.
• Haagen-Smit also demonstrated that the ozone was the
cause of the bleach smell L.A. residents were reporting,
as well as the source of their eye irritation and respiratory
problems.
Chloroflurocarbons (CFCs)
Particulates
Particulates types
Particulates: Sources
Particulates: Effects
Ozone depletion
 Ozone depletion

▪ Ozone (O3) is a triatomic molecule composed of three oxygen atoms, and it is a dynamic
component of Earth’s atmosphere.
▪ Most ozone resides in the stratosphere at altitudes ranging from approximately 10 to 50 km
above the Earth’s surface.
▪ Its critical role lies in absorbing and filtering out most of the harmful ultraviolet (UV)
radiation, specifically UV-B and UV-C, emitted by the sun.
UV-A 315-400 nm
UV-B 280-315 nm
UV-C 100-280 nm
▪ This function is vital for protecting life on Earth from the harmful effects of excessive UV
radiation, including skin cancer, cataracts, and damage to the DNA of living organisms.
 Ozone depletion

Satellite data from the European Space Agency’s Copernicus Sentinel-5P has identified a massive ozone hole
over Antarctica, measuring 26 million square kilometres, about three times the size of Brazil, as part of the EU’s
environmental monitoring program.
EOS-03

European Space Agency’s Copernicus Sentinel-5P

Oceansat-3 data has applications in ocean colour, biology, and
surface winds and temperature. Oceansat-3 also carries the
ARGOS-4 data collection system, as part of a partnership with
the National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) of France
Ozone depletion
 Ozone hole

▪ The term “ozone hole” refers to a localised and severe depletion of ozone concentrations
within the stratosphere, often occurring in polar regions, such as Antarctica.
▪ Ozone holes are primarily associated with releasing synthetic ozone-depleting (ODS)
compounds, including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons.
▪ These ODS are transported to the stratosphere, broken down by UV- C radiation, releasing
chlorine and bromine atoms. These atoms catalytically destroy ozone molecules.
▪ As a result, the ozone layer becomes thinner in these areas, allowing higher levels of
harmful UV radiation to penetrate the Earth’s surface, leading to detrimental environmental
and health effects.
Ozone Removal
Ozone Removal
Hydrocarbons (Volatile organic compounds: VOCs)
Ozone Depletion
Ozone hole: Effects
Global warming
 Global warming: Gases contribution

Global Warming Potential (GWP)

Defined by UN intergovernmental Panel on Climatic Change
Global warming: Effect
Global warming: Effect
Controlling Measures
Catalytic converter
Catalytic converter: Two way
Catalytic converter: Three way
Catalytic converter: Catalysts
Catalytic converter
 Controlling CO pollutant
Carbon monoxide pollution can be controlled in the following ways:

➢ By switching over from internal combustion engines to electrically powered cars.

➢ Many pollution control devices are now installed in cars. Most of these devices help reduce pollution by
burning gasoline completely. Complete combustion of gasoline produces only carbon dioxide and water
vapour.
2C8H18 + 5O2 → 16CO2 + 18H2O
➢ By using substitute fuels for gasoline: Natural gas in both compressed (CNG) and liquefied forms (LNG)
is now increasingly being used as fuel. Alcohols are other feasible substitutes.
➢ By using catalytic convertors: Nitrogen oxide is reduced to nitrogen and oxygen in the presence of finely
divided platinum or palladium as a catalyst.
 Controlling CO2 pollutant
Planting Trees
Plants remove carbon dioxide from the air naturally, and trees are especially good at storing CO2 removed
from the atmosphere by photosynthesis.
Agricultural Practices
Biomass Energy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS)
 Controlling CO2 pollutant
✓ Removal of Carbon
 Controlling CO2 pollutant
❑ Farms and Soils
Planting cover crops when fields are otherwise bare can extend photosynthesis throughout the year; using compost
can improve yields while storing the compost’s carbon content in the soil
❑ Direct Air capture
Direct air capture is the process of chemically scrubbing carbon dioxide from the ambient air and then sequestering
it either underground or in long-lived products like concrete.
 Controlling CO2 pollutant
❑ Ocean-based Approaches (Ocean’s capacity to sequester carbon)
Potential solutions include leveraging photosynthesis in coastal plants, seaweed, or phytoplankton; adding certain
minerals to seawater that react with dissolved CO2 and lock it away; or running an electric current through
seawater to accelerate reactions that ultimately help extract CO2.
❑ Carbon Mineralization
Some minerals naturally react with CO2, turning carbon dioxide from a gas into a solid and keeping it out of the
atmosphere permanently. This process is commonly referred to as “carbon mineralization” or “enhanced
weathering,” and it naturally happens very slowly, over hundreds or thousands of years.
 Nitrogen Oxides: Control
➢ By using catalytic convertors: Nitrogen oxide is reduced to nitrogen and oxygen in the presence of finely
divided platinum or palladium as a catalyst.

➢ Fuel switching
Fuel switching is the simplest and potentially the most economical way to reduce NOx emissions.

➢ Flue-gas recirculation (FGR)

Flue gas recirculation involves extracting some of the flue gas from the stack and recirculating it with the combustion air
supplied to the burners. The process, by diluting the combustion air with flue gas, reduces both the oxygen concentration at
the burners and the temperature. Reductions in NOx emissions ranging from 30 to 60% have been achieved.
 Nitrogen Oxides: Control
➢ Low NOx Burners:
The installation of low NOx burning equipment in power plants is a good emission reduction strategy. This method
prevents the formation of NOx gas by inhibiting a critical step in the chemical reaction.
Low-NOx burners prevent fuel mixtures from reaching the critical temperatures at which NOx can be formed by
combusting fuel under lower thermal conditions. Further, existing power plants can be retrofitted with these low
NOx burners to reduce emission levels.
➢ Natural Gas Reburning
Natural Gas Reburning (NGR) is a highly effective way to reduce the level of nitrogen dioxide formed from
burning hydrocarbon compounds
 Sulphur Oxides: Control
➢ Removal of SOx from fuel gases:
By using coal or oil which has low sulphur content.
By using a scrubber, a device that absorbs gaseous pollutants.

➢ Use of low-sulphur fuel

Prevention of SO2 pollution involves switching to low-sulfur fuels, or else a reduction of fuel-sulfur before its
firing. Since SO2 emissions are directly proportional to the sulfur content of fuel.
➢ Substitution of other energy sources for fuel combustion
Sulphur Oxides: Control
Particulate separation
Cyclone collector
Electrostatic Precipitator
Electrostatic Precipitator
Baghouse Filter
Baghouse Filter
Baghouse Filter
Wet Scrubbing
Wet Scrubbing
Dry Scrubbing
Dry Scrubbing
Dry Scrubbing
 Thank you
and
All the Best for Mid-Exams