AIR RESOURCES ENGINEERING

ENV20:
INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL
ENGINEERING

ENGR. ELISA G. ELEAZAR

 Introduction
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 Air has traditionally not been viewed as a

resource (like water or land), so there are no
private or public claims on it.
 Air does not obey geopolitical boundaries so
transboundary air pollution problems are
common.
 Polluted ambient air cannot be remediated with
technology.
 Transport of Air
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 The Atmosphere
 Transport of Air
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Global Transport
 Troposphere
 tubulent layer due to surface heating and cooling
processes from the rising and setting sun
 Stratosphere
 layer with very little mixing
 Air Pollutants
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 Primary Pollutants
 emitted directly into the atmosphere
 Secondary Pollutants
 formed by chemical reactions in the atmosphere

 Criteria Air Pollutants

 Hazardous Air Pollutants
 Indoor Air Pollutants
 Air Pollutants
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 Classification of Air Pollutants According to

Physical State
 Particulates

 Gaseous
 Air Pollutants
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 Particulates
 Dust

 Fume

 Mist

 Smoke

 Spray
 Criteria Air Pollutants
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 Set by US EPA
 Basis
 very common
 can do great harm

 O3 CO
 NOx SOx
 Pb PM10
 PM2.5
 Criteria Air Pollutants
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Properties / Source Concern/s

Nitrogen Oxides
Brown to dark orange Imparts brownish haze
Produced when N2 in air reacts Forms small particles
with O2 during fuel combustion (respiratory irritants)
Forms O3
Forms HNO3
Sulfur Oxides
SO2–colorless, soluble in H2O Forms H2SO4
SO3-highly corrosive Forms small particles
Combustion of fuels Forms haze that accelerates
building decay

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Properties / Source
Carbon Monoxide
Colorless and odorless
Incomplete combustion of fuels
Lead
Industrial sources
Criteria Air Pollutants
Concern/s
Absorbed easily into blood
Death
Accumulates in the body and
produces impacts in children
Affects the nervous system
Mental retardation, behavioral
issues
 Criteria Air Pollutants
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Properties / Source Concern/s

Ozone
Highly reactive
From atmospheric reactions
Fine Particulate Matter
Less than 10 m
One of the components of
photochemical smog
Respiratory problems
 Hazardous Air Pollutants
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Categories Exposure Pathways

 Pesticides  Breathing
 Metals  Contaminated food
 Organics  Precipitation to water
 Radionuclides bodies and soil
 Indoor Air Pollutants
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 Characteristics
 different sources from ambient air
 linger longer

 rarely monitored

 limited enforcement of air quality

 Indoor Air Pollutants
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Pollutant Source
Carbon monoxide Stoves, furnaces
Formaldehyde Carpets, particle boards, plywood finishes
Particulate matter Materials processing
VOCs Solvents, personal care products
Radon Diffusion from the soil
Ozone Photocopiers, printers, air-cleaning devices
Biological agents Mold, fungi, pets
Asbestos Insulation, tiles, fireproofing
Tobacco smoke Cigarettes, cigars
Air Pollution Control Devices
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 Air Pollution Control Devices
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Particulate Control

 Settling Chamber
 wide place in the exhaust flue where large particles
settle
 >100  diameter particles
 Air Pollution Control Devices
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 Cyclone
 popular, economical and effective means
 Air Pollution Control Devices
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 Bag / Fabric Filter

 operates like a vacuum filter
 sensitive to high temperatures and humidity
 Air Pollution Control Devices
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 Spray Tower / Scrubber

 removes large particulates
 produces a visible plume and wastewater
 Air Pollution Control Devices
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 Electrostatic Precipitator
 widely used in power plants
 Air Pollution Control Devices
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Gaseous Pollutant Control

 Wet Scrubber
 dissolves gaseous pollutants in water

 Adsorption
 Air Pollution Control Devices
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 Incineration / Flaring
 usedwhen an organic pollutant can be oxidized to
CO2 and water
 Air Pollution Episodes
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 Global Warming
 Ozone Layer Depletion
 Acid Deposition
 Air Pollution Episodes
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Global Warming
 Greenhouse Effect
 trapping of the sun’s radiation into the surface of the
earth
 Greenhouse Gases
 CO2
 CH4
 N2O
 H2O

 Kyoto Protocol
 Air Pollution Episodes
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Ozone Layer Depletion

 Most Important Chlorofluorocarbons

 CFCl3 – trichlorofluoromethane
 CF2Cl2 - dichlorofluoromethane

 Properties of CFCs
 inert
 insoluble in water
 Air Pollution Episodes
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Ozone Layer Depletion

 Uses
 in aerosols
 in refrigeration systems

 in foam products
 Air Pollution Episodes
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Ozone Layer Depletion

Ozone Creation O2  hv  O  O
O2  O  O3
Ozone Depletion (Natural)
O3  hv  O2  O
Ozone Depletion (by CFCs) CF2Cl2  hv  CF2Cl  Cl
Cl  O3  ClO  O2
ClO  O  Cl  O2
 Air Pollution Episodes
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Ozone Layer Depletion

 Effects of Ozone Depletion

 skincancer
 eye damage
 immune system suppression
 plant photosynthesis reduction

 Montreal Accord
 Air Pollution Episodes
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Acid Deposition
S  O2 heat

 SO2 N 2  O2  2NO
SO2  O sunlight
 SO3 NO  O3  NO2  O2
SO3  H 2 O  H 2 SO4 NO2  O3  H 2 O  2 HNO3  O2
 Effects
 fishkill
 release of heavy metals

 damage to structures