AIR POLLUTION

References:
Principles of Environmental
Engineering and Science by Davis
and Masten
Principles of Environmental Science
by Cunningham and Cunningham
RA 8749 (Clean Air Act of 1999)
Air pollution means any
alteration of the physical,
chemical and biological
properties of the
atmospheric air, or any
discharge thereto of any liquid,
gaseous or solid substances
Air pollutant- means any matter found in
the atmosphere other than oxygen,
nitrogen, water vapor, carbon dioxide,
and the inert gases in their natural or
normal concentrations, that is
detrimental to health or
the environment, which includes, but not
limited to smoke, dust, soot, cinders, fly
ash, solid particles of any kind, gases,
fumes, chemical mists, steam and
radioactive substances;

Major Kinds of Pollutants
Primary Pollutants released in a
harmful form
Secondary Pollutants become
hazardous after reactions in the air
Stationary source means any
building or immobile structure,
facility or installation which
emits or may emit any air
pollutant.
Mobile source means any vehicle
propelled by or through
combustion of carbon-based or
other fuel, constructed and
operated principally for the
conveyance of persons or the
transportation of property goods;
Secondary Pollutants
Photochemical Oxidants
compounds formed with solar energy
Atmospheric acids
Fugitive emissions those that do
not go through a smokestack
Dust from soil erosion, strip mining,
rock crushing and building construction
Leaking valves and pipe joints
contribute s much as 90 of
hydrocarbons and volatile organic
compounds emitted from oil refineries
and chemical plants

Conventional Air Pollutants or criteria
pollutants or group of seven major
pollutants
Sulfur dioxide
Carbon monoxide
Particulates
Volatile Organic Compounds
Nitrogen Oxides
Ozone
Lead
Unconventional Pollutants compounds
that are produced in less volume than
conventional pollutants but that are
especially toxic or hazardous
Asbestos
Benzene
Beryllium
Mercury
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
Vinyl chloride
Halons - any of several compounds
consisting of one or two carbon
atoms combined with bromine and
one or more other halogens. Halons
are gases and are used as fire-
extinguishing agents. They are
between three and ten times more
destructive to the ozone layer than
CFCs are.
Aesthetic degradation form of
pollution that reduce the quality of
life
Noise
Odors
Effects of Air Pollution
Human Health
Plant Pathology
Visibility Reduction
Acid Deposition (acid precipitation)
Aquatic effects of acid deposition
Forest Damage
Buildings and Monuments
Effect on Materials
Five mechanisms of deterioration
Abrasion
Deposition and removal
Direct chemical attack
Indirect chemical attack
Electrochemical corrosion
Factors that influence deterioration
Moisture (humidity causes corrosion,
even without air pollution)
Temperature (higher air temperature
generally result in higher reaction rates
Sunlight (provides energy for pollutant
formation)
Position of the exposed material
influences rate of deterioration
Ambient air quality means the
general amount of pollution
present in a broad area; and
refers to the atmosphere
average purity as distinguished
from discharge measurements
taken at the source of pollution;
Ambient air quality guideline values
means the concentration of air over
specified periods classified as short-
term and long-term which are
intended to serve as goals or
objectives for the protection of health
and/or public welfare. These values
shall be used for air quality
management purposes such as
determining time trends, evaluating
stages of deterioration or
enhancement of the air quality, and in
general, used as basis for taking
positive action in preventing,
controlling, or abating air pollution
(See Table in RA 8749)
Emission means any air
contaminant, pollutant, gas
stream or unwanted sound from
a known source which is passed
into the atmosphere;
Pollution control device means
any device or apparatus used to
prevent, control or abate the
pollution of air caused by
emissions from identified
pollution sources at levels within
the air pollution control
standards
established by the Department;
Pollution control technology
means the pollution control
devices, production process, fuel
combustion processes or other
means that effectively prevent or
reduce emissions or effluent;
Air Pollution Control
Dilution early approach done by tall
smokestacks to send emissions far from the
source
Reducing Production of pollutants by reducing
electricity consumption, insulating homes and
offices and developing better public transport
(better engines with no emissions) Waste
minimization
Various Control Methods
Air Pollution Control
Air Pollution Control of Stationary
Sources
For Gaseous Pollutants
Absorption mass transfer process in which
the gas dissolves in liquid
Adsorption mass transfer process in which
the gas is bonded to a solid (surface
phenomenon)

Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) used
to remove sulfur oxides from gas
stream
Removal of Nitrogen Oxides by:
preventing the formation of NOx
during combustion process or
converting the NO formed into nitrogen
and oxygen
Removal of Particulate Pollutants
Cyclones for particle sizes greater
than about 10 m in diameter; the
particulate laden gas is accelerated
through a spiral motion which imparts
a centrifugal force to the particles;
inertial collector with no moving parts;
employed only for coarse dusts; some
applications include controlling
emissions of wood dust, paper fibers
and buffing fibers


Filters for high efficiency control of particles smaller than
5 m in diameter
Two types:
1. Deep bed filter resembling a furnace filter; a packing of
fibers is used to intercept the particles in the gas stream;
good for relatively clean gases and low volumes such as
air conditioning systems
2. Baghouse made of natural or synthetic fibers which
intercept the particles;
Synthetic fibers are widely used as filtration fabrics because
of their low cost, better temperature and chemical-
resistance characteristics and small fiber diameter; bag life
varies between 1 and 5 years



Liquid scrubbing- used when particulate
matter to be collected is wet, corrosive or
very hot that fabric filter may not work;
typical scrubbing applications include control of
emission of talc dust, phosphoric acid mist,
foundry cupola dust and open hearth steel
furnace fumes











Electrostatic precipitation (ESP) : for fly ash

Fly ash generic term used to describe the
particulate matter carried in effluent gases
from furnaces burning fossil fuels
ESP consists of alternating plates and wires
where a large current potential is established
resulting in the creation of an ion field; Ions
attach to the particles that pass through
giving them a net negative charge hence are
attracted to the positively charged plate


Air Pollution Control for Mobile Sources
Automobiles: three familiar types of engines
gasoline, diesel, jet
Control of Design and Operating Variables on
Emissions:
Air-to-fuel ratio
Load or power level
Speed
Spark timing
Exhaust back pressure
Valve overlap
Intake manifold pressure
Combustion chamber deposit buildup
Surface temperature
Surface to-volume ratio
Combustion chamber design
Stroke to- bore ratio
Displacement per cylinder
Compression ratio
Control of emissions by:
Eliminate blowby emissions (through
crankcase
Control the evaporation of volatile
hydrocarbons (VOCs)
Control Carburetor Evaporation Losses
Reduce Engine Exhaust Emissions
Proper Inspection-Maintenance
Programs
Waste Minimization the first and best
step in any pollution control strategy
which is to minimize the production of
pollutants in the first place
Conserve energy
Improve fuel use
Designing/Building smaller and lighter vehicles
Reduce fuel consumption thru mass transit,
walking, bicycling
Air Quality Control
Techniques
Best available technology and alternative
methods of prevention, management and
control of air pollution;
b) Best available technology economically
achievable which shall refer to the
technological basis/standards for emission
limits applicable to existing, direct industrial
emitters of nonconventional and toxic
pollutants; and
c) Alternative fuels, processes and operating
methods which will result in the eliminator
or significant reduction of emissions.
Air Pollution interacts with climate in
important ways: climate patterns
concentrate or distribute pollution
around the globe, and air pollution
can alter climate conditions. Among
the most important of these
processes are long-range transport
of pollutants and photochemical
reactions in trapped inversion layers
over urban areas.
Philippine Environmental Legislation
Related to Air Pollution

REPUBLIC ACT 8749 : CLEAN AIR ACT
OF 1999

Read pertinent provisions of this Act.