UNIT-IV

INPLANT CONTROL MEASURES:

Process Change-Dry and Wet Methods of Removal

and Recycling
Dust Collection Devices-Inertial Separators-Catalyst Reduction.

AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BY DILUTION

General-Meteorological Factors -Atmospheric Temperature
Lapse Rate-Speed and Direction of Wind- Wind Velocity, Profile-
Diffusion Theories-Objects of Stack.
 DRY METHODS
The Dry Methods can be divided, broadly in two types:
1.Oxidation/Reduction methods
2.Usages of Metal Oxides.
• OXIDATION/REDUCTION METHODS: CATOX Process: This method
of oxidation is popularly known as the “Cat-Ox” process &
produces sulphuric acid. In this process fly ash is first removed
from the flue gas by a high temperature electrostatic precipitator.
• SO2 is then catalytically oxidized to SO3 & recovered as sulphuric
acid. V2O5 at 400-500°C is used as a catalyst for good conversion
efficiency.
• The combined effect of absorption & catalysis by the active
carbon leads to a complete conversion of SO2.
CATOX Process of Removal of SOX
 Usages of Metal Oxides
In this process sodium aluminates is used to
remove SO2 in a fluidized bed.
In this process, developed by U.S Bureau of
mines, the dust free flue gas is fed to a reactor,
wherein the absorbent, a porous form of
sodium aluminate (Na2O. Al2O2), adsorbs SO2
at a temperature of 300 °C
 WET PROCESS
• The main unit responsible in a wet process is the scrubber- a spray
tower, a cyclone scrubber, packed scrubber.
• Most of the currently available wet flue gas desulfurization methods
use slurries of compounds of calcium magnesium & sodium. In the
wet process the treated gases are kept at low temperatures in the
range of 25-50 °C.
• CALSOX PROCESS (Lime & limestone Scrubbing) :
• Here the flue gas is scrubbed with 5 to 15 % slurry of calcium
sulphate which also contains amounts of lime & lime stone (CaCO3).
The SO2 reacts with slurry to form additional sulphite & sulphate
salts.
CaO + H2O --- Ca(OH)2
Ca(OH)2 + CO2--- CaCO3+ H2O
 SOX Control by
Lime/ Limestone Scrubbing
 Electrostatic Precipitators
Electrostatic Precipitators are like air filters and
cyclones are air pollution control devices used
to collect and remove particulate matter, such
as dust, from industrial emissions and exhaust.
Electrostatic Precipitators employ
transformers to create high static electrical
potential difference between charging
electrodes and collecting plates.
Principle of Electrostatic Precipitators
Electrostatic Precipitator is a physical process by
which particles( solids or liquids) can be removed
from the gaseous streams. In Electrostatic
Precipitator the gas streams is passed between two
electrodes, across which a high potential difference
is maintained. The particles deposited on the
collecting electrode lose their charge & then are
removed mechanically to hopper below electrical
treatment zone & are collected for ultimate
disposal.
Electrostatic Precipitators
 Electrostatic Precipitators consists of six
major components
• A source of high voltage
• Discharge electrodes & collecting electrodes
• Inlet & outlet for the gas
• An electronic cleaning system
• Hopper for collection & disposal of
particulates.
• An outer casing (called shell) to form an
enclosure around the electrodes.
 Electrostatic Precipitators
Advantages:
• High collection efficiency.
• Particles as small as 0.1 micron can be removed.
• Treatment time is negligible.( 0.1 to 10 seconds)
• Low maintenance & operating costs.
• Low pressure drop.
• Cleaning is easy for operation.
• There is no limit to solid, liquid or corrosive chemical usage.
Disadvantages:
• Larger size of equipment
• High initial cost.
• Precautions are necessary to maintain safety during operation.
• Ozone Gas cannot be removed.
  
Applications of
Electrostatic Precipitators

• Thermal Power Plants

• Metallurgical plants
• Pulp & Paper Mills
• Steel Plant
• Chemical Industry.
• Rubber and Plastic Manufacturing
• Carbon Black Industry.
• Petroleum Industry.
 Separators
• Principle: This type of control equipment
includes all collectors which utilize the relatively
greater inertia of the dispersoid to effect the
particulate gas separation.
• Types of Inertial Separators:
• Baffle Type of Separator
• Louvre Type of Separator
• Dust Traps.
 Separators
• Baffle Type of Separator : It is simple to
operate. It has no moving parts. It is slightly
more expensive to construct than a simple
open settling chamber, because of the interior
work involved in fabricating and installing the
baffles. These devices are widely used for
particulate removal in power plants & rotary
kilns.
Louvre Dust Collector
 Louvre Type Separators
Here there is a series of louvres set an angle to the
carrier gas stream so as to cause a rapid reversal of
the gas flow direction & thereby cause the
particulates to impinge on the louvres. Efficiency of
this type depends upon louvre spacing, closer
spacing producing higher efficiency.
The operating velocities normally are of the order
of 12-15 m/s at the inlet. The device is suitable for
removing particles larger than 30µ in diameter.
 Louvre Dust Collector
Advantages of Louvre Dust Collector are:
• Simple And Low Cost Construction.
• Moderate Low pressure drop for the degree of
removal obtained.
Disadvantages are:
• Clogging of the louvre grid with a
corresponding reduction in efficiency &
excessive damage of louvre elements.
 Dust Trap
The Dust Trap is another common type of inertial separator. In this
device, the dust laden gas is introduced into a central pipe is made to
undergo a change in direction by 180°. Dust, because of inertia, settles
in the conical chamber.
This device is useful when the dust loading is high greater
100 g/m3 and quantity of gas to be handled is low.

Normally gas velocity in the inlet is about 10 m/s & in the chamber it is
reduced to about 1m/s. The collection efficiency for particles greater
than 30 µ is about 70%.

A Dust trap is sometimes used as a pre-cleaner, to reduce the load of

the larger diameter particles so as to pass through more efficient
mechanisms, for removing smaller particulates.
 Catalytic Reduction
• Selective Catalytic Reduction: Selective
Catalytic Reduction refers to a process that
chemically reduces NOx with Ammonia over
heterogeneous catalyst in the presence of O2. This is
termed as Selective because the reducing agent NH 3
preferentially attacks NOx rather than O2.
• Selective Catalytic Reduction is applicable to flue gas
from fuel fire combustion system.
• 2CO+2NO------- 2CO2 + N2
• 4CO+2NO2-------4CO2 + N2
• 2NH3 + 2NO+ ½ O2 ------ 2N2 + 3H2O
 Selective Catalytic Reduction
The NH3 : NOx molar ratio & the flue gas space
velocity are the major operating variables
affecting the level of NOX control achieved for
given boiler condition and Selective Catalytic
Reduction system.
An NH3 : NO molar ratio of 1:1 can achieve
about 90% NOx reduction with higher NH3
rates resulting in higher undesirable NH3
emissions.
Selective Catalytic Reduction of NOX using Methane.
 Wind Rose
• The Wind Rose is defined as, Any one of the
class of diagrams designed to show the
distribution of wind direction experienced at a
given location, over a considerable period.
• Wind Rose shows the prevailing direction of the
wind.
• Wind Rose may be constructed from the data
obtained over a given time period such as a
particular month or a year.
 Wind Rose
The Wind Rose is also called as a
Pollution Roses.
Types of Wind Roses are as follows:
• Particulate Wind Rose
• Smoke wind rose
• SO2 wind rose
• Hydrocarbon wind rose
 General-Meteorological factors effecting Air
Pollution
• Primary Parameters
• Wind direction and speed
• Temperature
• Atmospheric stability
• Mixing Height.
• Secondary Parameters
• Precipitation
• Humidity
• Solar Radiation
• Visibility
 Meteorological Factors of air pollution

• Wind: Instrument for measuring wind speed

are called Anemometer.
• Temperature is measured by Thermometer
• Atmospheric Stability: In well mixed air which
is dry, for every 1000 ft (300 m) increase in
altitude, the temperature decreases by about
3.3 F (about 1.8C). This vertical temperature
gradient is known as Lapse Rate.
 Meteorological Factors of air pollution
• Mixing Height: The Three factors namely wind
direction, wind speed, wind turbulence related to
all three is called as Mixing Height.
• Precipitation: Rainfall or precipitation exerts a
two fold cleansing action on the pollutants
discharged into the atmosphere.
• Precipitation can be determined by Rain gauges.
• Humidity: Moisture content of the atmosphere
influences corrosive action of air pollutants.
 Zones of Atmosphere
• Meteorology: The Study of Earth’s Atmosphere is called Meteorology.
• Properties of Atmosphere: They are as follows
• Troposphere: It is the lowest gaseous layer of atmosphere and extends to
height up to 10 kms.
• Stratosphere: It is thick layer that lies above the troposphere. This layer is free
from violent weather changes which occur below. It is preferred by the jet
liners. Ozone layer is present. This is blessing because any concentration of
ozone beyond certain levels is injurious to life, plants & animals.
• Mesophere: This layer & the zones above have no significance in the field of air
pollution and its control.
• Ionosphere: It is also known as Thermosphere because of very high
temperature prevailing as much as 870C over the equator.
• The region of atmosphere beyond 700 kms is termed as exosphere. It is
believed to be high temperature region with minimum atomic collisions.
Zones of Atmosphere
 Wind Velocity
• Velocity of air is measured by an instrument called
Anemometer.
• Wind travels in directions North, South, East, West.
• Wind direction can be observed by an instrument
called Wind Vane
• Pressure is measured by Barometer.
• Pressure cause Cyclones.
• Cyclones have circular speed of about 120 kmph to
400 kmph.
 Wind Properties
• Calm Wind: smoke rises vertically- 1 Mile/per Hour
• Light Wind: Wind felt on face, leaves rustle- 1-3 Mile
• Gentle Wind: Leaves in constant motion 8-12 Mile
• Moderate Wind: Raises dust & small branches are removed- 13-
18 Mile
• Fresh Wind: Large branches in motion- 19-31 Mile
• Strong Wind: Breaks twigs of trees- 32-46 Mile
• Gale Wind: Trees uprooted, structural damage-47-54
• Whole Gale: Rarely experienced, accompanied by wide spread
damage- 64- 75
• Hurricane: Above 75
 Lapse Rate
• Lapse Rate: The lapse rate is defined as the rate at which air
temperature changes with elevation. Rate of change in temperature
observed while moving upward through the Earth's atmosphere.
• The lapse rate is considered positive when the temperature
decreases with elevation, zero when the temperature is constant with
elevation, and negative when the temperature increases with
elevation.
• Lapse rate is highly variable as are being affected by radiation,
convection, and condensation; it averages about 6.5°C per kilometers
(18.8°F per mile) in the lower atmosphere (Troposphere).
• Inversion, Temperature Inversion & Inversion Layer: In meteorology,
an inversion is a deviation from the normal change of an atmospheric
property with altitude.
• The condition when temperature actually increases with altitude is
referred to as a temperature inversion, because it limits vertical air
motion. In fact inversion allows virtually no vertical air motion. The
atmospheric layer within which such a condition or temperature
increase occurs is called inversion layer.
 Diffusion Theories
• As for smoke which is discharged into
the atmosphere, advection by the wind
and diffusion by the wind turbulence work to
dilute it.
In other words, when the wind velocity is
1 m/s, the distance becomes 1m and at a wind
velocity of 2 m/s, it becomes 2 m. The distance
between contiguous puffs shows the dilution
effect.
 Objects of stack in air pollution
• For keeping the maximum concentration
of pollutant within allowable limit,
the stacks are constructed for venting the
industrial gases into atmosphere.
Therefore stack serve as pollution controller
for odorous gases or low
concentrated pollutants.
 Effect of Stack Height on Transport &
Dispersion of Air Pollutants
• Stacks have only one function to disperse flue gas into the
atmosphere.
• The height of the stack or chimney is determined by several
factors including: meteorological parameters, height of the
nearest building or structure, prevailing wind direction, height of
natural landforms, location of air intake, type of equipment draft
(natural or forced), type of fuel and local and/or national ambient
air quality requirements.
• Stack height is the key parameter which highly affects
transportation and dispersion of pollutants.
• Several terminologies are used in determination of the stack
height and its effects on pollutants dispersion.
 Objects of stack in air pollution
• The stack is one of the easily available pollution control technologies and essential
pollution control measures.
• The stack height plays a role in its ability to transport and disperse the pollutants at
higher altitude, which helps to lower the influence of pollutant on the surrounding to
meet the emission standards as well as ambient air quality standards in compliance
with various regulatory limits.
• Emissions from industrial stacks are regulated by Pollution Control Board to protect
human and environmental health.
• Industries are required to obtain Environmental Clearance from the regulatory agencies
to emit into the atmosphere and to demonstrate their compliance with regulations.
• In the process of compliance of the statutory environmental regulations the stack height
recommendations are based on the following to assess the impact of stack or point
source emission:
• 1. “Dispersion Models”
• 2. Stack Height prescribed in the provisions of the Environment(Protection) Rules,1986
 Stack Height Recommendations based on “Dispersion
Model”
• Air dispersion model is defined as a quantitative or mathematical
representation or simulation which attempts to describe the characteristics or
relationships of physical events of environment in an area.
• Air dispersion modelling is used to know how air pollutants disperse in the
ambient atmosphere and to estimate or to predict the downwind
concentration of air pollutants at particular distances from emission sources.
• Evaluations of pollution control strategies (stack height etc) and their effects
are performed with the help of such modelling to improve ambient air quality
levels, and for determining the impact of pollutants emitted into the
environment. It is performed with computer programs. Several air pollution
dispersion models are currently available but Gaussian-Plume Models are
widely used, well understood, easy to apply and approved by CPCB also and
on the basis of modelling results stack height with other measures are
recommended. On the basis of modelling the recommended stack height
ensures that pollutants would be dispersed over a wider area to meet legal or
other safety requirements. Maximum and worst ground level concentrations
in an area due to the proposed new plant may be derived. Dispersion
Modelling is also routinely used in Environmental Impact Assessment, Risk
Analysis and Emergency Planning.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ACT-1986

They relate to the protection and

improvement of the
human environment and the
prevention of hazards to human
beings, other living creatures,
plants and property.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ACT
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ACT
 UNIT-5
AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT :

•EIA is activity designed to identify and predict the impact of a

project on bio-geo-physico-chemical environment and on
human health so as to recommend appropriate legislative
measures. Programs and operational procedures to minimize
the impact.
•EIA is an exercise to be carried out before any project or major
activity is undertaken to ensure that it will not in any away
harm the environment on a short-term or long-term basis.
•An impact can be defined as any change in the physical,
chemical, biological, cultural or socioeconomic environmental
system as a result of activities relating to a project.
•EIA minimizes all sorts of pollutions.
•EIA helps in Environmental Monitoring.
The Air (Prevention & Control of pollution
Act.
Pollutants from Industries.
The Air (Prevention & Control of pollution
Act.