AE 130: Envt.

Control and Protection Engineering

Prepared by: ER Lapong, AE Dept., MSU-GSC

POLLUTION
1. AIR POLLUTION - unwanted change in the quality of the earths atmosphere cause
by the emission of gases and of particulates (small particles of solid matters or
droplets of liquids)
Sources: 1) transportation
2)fuel combustion in stationary sources (electric power
generating plants)
3) industrial processes
4) solid waste disposal (incineration)
5) miscellaneous

Principal pollutants:

1. Carbon Monoxide (CO): is an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas produced by

incomplete combustion of carbon, the main constituent by coal and of HC (the
main constituent of petroleum and petroleum products).
2. Nitric Oxide (NO): produced when fuel is burned at very high temperature, the
heat breaks the bond between atoms of the usually inert or nonreactive
molecular Nitrogen (N2). It might also combine with oxygen to form poisonous to
NO2 (brown gas). Absorbing ultraviolet radiation from, NO2 breaks to NO and
atomic oxygen (O), which then combines with molecule oxygen (O2) in air to form
O3 (ozone). Ozone, a highly reactive form of oxygen that can damage lungs, and
is one of the constituents of photochemical smog. The other constituents are
formed by combination of NO and HC.
3. Sulfur Oxide: produced when materials containing sulfur as an impurity are
heated or burned.

Other pollutants: organic compounds as dioxin, forrmaldehyde, phosgene,

fluorocarbon, and other elements.

Effects of pollution:

1. On human health - contributes incidence of bronchitis, emphysema, and other

respiratory disease, cancer and poison.
A) CO - when inhaled displaces O2 in blood, decreasing amount of O2
carried to the tissues and other parts of the body; O 2 deprivation is
dangerous to heart and brain tissues.

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 B) SO - can cause temporary and permanent injury to the respiratory
system, especially in conjunctions with the particulate.
C) Particulate - cause various type of cancer.
2. On Green Plants- major threat to leafy vegetables, field and forage crops, shrubs,
herbs, trees, particularly conifers.
3. On Damage to property - corrosion, rapid deterioration due to chemical reactions
4. Decreased visibility

Control and Prevention:

1. Prevention of emission from motor vehicles by adjusting engine to improve

efficiency in combustion; device to oxidize the pollutants in exhaust; use of
alternate fuel like natural gas; liquefied natural gas, propane.
2. Control of CO, NO2, SO2, emissions from large furnaces in industrial plants.
3. Settling and controlling particulate from stack gases and waste air by filtering,
washing, centrifugal separator, electrostatic precipitation (cotrell Precipitator).

2. WATER POLLUTION - change in the chemical or physical condition or the

biological content of the water in a water supply that prevents or limit further use of
water or impairs mans aesthetic enjoyment of water.

Sources of Pollution:
a) Communities- obvously one of the major sources of water pollution
is the municipal sewage ( the wastewater of the communities)
- average is 200 gallons/erson-includes not only drinking, cooking,
hygiene but also sprinkling lawns, cleaning streets and other water
needs.
- each person adds about lb of fecal waste matter to the water
each day.
- bacteria and viruses carried in fecal waste can cause intestinal
diseases such as typhoid, ccholera, dysentery as well as hepatitis.

b) Industry- water performs many industrial functions serving as a raw

material, heating and cooking various processes, and transporting,
sorting, and washing materials. Therefore, it carries waste from all
stages of industrial process.
- thermal pollution (hot water)
- radioactive pollution - containing radioactive materials.

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 c) Agriculture- residues of chemicals used to enhanced agriculture and
includes pesticides, insecticides as DDT fungicides, herbicides, and
inorganic fertilizers which contains nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium
and sulfur.
- organic waste from beef and dairy cattle, poultry, piggery, food procesing
plants (canning factories).

Effects of water pollution:

1. Oxygen Depletion
- bacteria are aerobic and so requires oxygen for survival
- biodegradability of materials is affected

2. Formation of Gases
- ammonia which results from microbial decomposition of proteins and chemical
excreta.
- with oxygen, ammonia is oxidized by bacteria to form nitrates and nitrites (O 2
depletes when nitrates and nitrites forms)
- fermentation of organic materials produced CO2, H2, and methane (CH4), a
colorless, odorless, flammable gas called marsh gas

3. Eutrophication
- gradual increase of plant life in lake until it turns to marsh, and finally becomes
land
- ecological succession
- hastening of plant growth due to simulation of nitrogen and phosphorous
contained in agricultural wastes and wastewaters.

4. Thermal Pollution
- water used for coolong steam from electric power generating plants raises
temperature by 3-10C
- heat reduces the solubility of oxygen in water speeds up chemical reactions and
generally affects life in the receiving waters.

5. Accumulation of Toxic Organic Chemicals

- passage of such to organisms within the food chains.

6. Radioactive Pollution
- radioactive isotopes also accumulates in the food chain
- damage tissue of plants and animals and may cause mutation and altering traits.
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CONTROL AND TREATMENT
1. Dumping of wastewater into abundantly flowing streams where they will be
diluted by fresh water, aerated and assimilated by natural process.
2. Treatment of wastewater physically, biologically, and chemically
3. Abating pollution by modifying processes to reduce waste

SEWAGE TREATMENT

Although recycling waste is being promoted, still problem of water pollution will
be better solved by building more and more better sewage treatment facilities.

1. Primary Treatment
- most common sewage treatment: removal of floating objects and suspended
particles
- floating debris is caught in rack and screen placed in path of flow
- sand and other coarse inorganic particles settle in grit chambers
- grease may be skimmed off the top by various plates and bars
- flocculent particles, which are loose and floating are induced to settle by adding
chemicals coagulants to make it heavier particles
- sludge, materials that settles on the bottom of the basin must be disposed of, in
the tank called digester, where anaerobic bacteria digest it. If there is no digester,
the solids maybe burned or dumped as landfill, buned or dried as biomass or
fertilizers.

2. Secondary Treatment
- basically biological, utilizes aerobic bacteria to decompose the suspended
and dissolved organic matter
- The object is to put the wastewater in contact with as many bacteria as
possible which keeping it aerated so that the bacteria have an adequate
supply of dissolved oxygen.
- % BOD (Biochemical Oxygen demand)- measure of decomposition of organic
matter

a) Wastewater may be filtered through beds of sand, crushed rock, stones or

shapes made of ceramics or plastics, with the same effect as would be
achieved by allowing it to flow over several miles of a stream bottom.
Bacteria form a slime on the surfaces of the filter fragments and
decompose the organic matter in wastewater as it trickles through, thus
reducing by more than 90% its BOD.

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 b) Activated Sludge system:98% BOD reduction is accomplished by aerating
the wastewater in a tank while mixing it with concentrated bacterial floc,
speeding up natural mechanisms.
c) Allowing the wastewater to stand for a long time in shallow oxidation
ponds or lagoons, where algae consume carbon dioxide and produce the
oxygen needed for decomposition. Such pond require sunshine and
certain temperate conditions and reduce the BOD by 40-70%.

3. Tertiary treatment ( chemical treatment)

- Further remove remaining pollutants after primary and secondary treatment

a) Ion change to remove the dissolved ions of salts nd metals

b) Chemical precipitation to soften the water by removing calcium and
magnesium salts
c) Reverse osmosis to force purified water to pass through membrane and
leave behind a concentrated solution of the plant nutrients, NH4N, nitrates
and phosphates
d) Removal of nitrogen by blowing air through the wastewater as it passes
through an ammonia- stripping tower

3. NOISE POLLUTION
- excessive or unwanted sound contributed to the environment by human
activities.
Although, it does not alter or damage the environment physically or chemically
as do pollutants of air and water, it is considered a pollutant when it is present in
sufficient quantity and intensity to cause psychological stress or physiological
damage to people in the environment.

Sound Level Meter - measures noise, which very roughly imitate the function of the ear.
Decibels (dB) unit of measure
0 dB - threshold of human hearing
120 dB - threshold of discomfort
130 dB threshold of pain
<70 dB - average for human to prevent hearing loss
<55 dB - average for comfort outdoor (+ 10 for nighttime)
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 <45 dB - average for indoors (+ 10 for nighttime).

Effects:
1. May cause permanent loss of hearing if expose to prolonged and high level of
noise
2. Causes psychological and emotional stresses ( irritability )
3. Causes fatigue, headaches, discomfort and pain
4. Constriction of blood vessels, tensing of muscles, alteration of respiration,
circulation and secretion of gastric juices and other manifestations of tenses.
5. Additional cost sound proofing and insulation for construction.

INDUSTRIAL HAZARDS:
- anything that tends to have an adverse effects on human health.
- depends on the nature of the hazards, intensity, and duration of exposure, and
individuals susceptibility to the hazards.

Four Categories:
1. CHEMICAL HAZARDS
- Most environmental health hazards involve chemical present as dust, fumes,
gases, liquids, mists, or vapor.
- May enter the body though inhalation, ingestion, or absorption
- Chemicals are a potential danger to life and properly when they are reactive,
unstable, flammable, volatile, or decomposing
- Includes explosives, corrosive acids or alkalis, flammable liquids such as
compounds containing cynogen, oxidizing material, and certain gases solvents
such as benzene, and turpentine.

Classification of chemicals according to the effects to the body:

a. Asphyxiants - can cause suffocation because they replace oxygen in air.
Ex., CO, C02, N2, Propane, and Methane
b. Anesthetics & depressants - cause drowsiness, stupor, convulsions, coma,
or death. (chlorinated hydrocarbons, Chloroform, Alcohol)
c. Irritants - attacks eyes, nose, mouths, lungs, and have chronic and acute
effects. (Ammonia, Chlorine, NO2)
d. Carcinogen - cancer-causing substances. (Asbestos, Benzene,
Chromium)
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 e. Mutagens - causes changes in sperm or egg cell and can result in cancer
and birth defects. (Radiation, X-rays, beta paricles)
f. Teratogens - substances that cause changes in a fetus that lead to birth
defects. (Nicotine, Alcohols, Radiation)
g. Systemic Poison - interfere with organ, entire systems, or a complex of a
system. (Lead - widely known systematic poison).

2. PHYSICAL HAZARDS

- Noise, extreme temperature or pressure, radiation and vibration are of this type.
a. Noise
- Unwanted sound (60 dB or higher)
- Physiological consequences include nervousness, fatigue,
sleeplessness, and high blood pressure.
- Physiological effect includes aural pain and hearing.
b. Heat stress from very high temperature
- depends on the quality of heat, humidity, air movement, and
temperature, as well as metabolism of body
- can cause heatstroke, heat cramps, heat exhaustion. Extreme cold
also, can cause a frostbite (hypothermia)
c. Radiation:
i) Ionizing radiation - can turn neutral atoms into ions (charged particles)
that are highly reactive to others - in tissue, bone narrow & blood (alpha
particle, beta, neutrons, X-rays, gamma rays).
ii) Nonionizing Radiation - light waves, microwaves, and radio waves; can
cause also cause also cataracts, burns.
d. Vibration
- damages joints, bones, muscles, nerves, circulatory system
(excessive vibrations) comes from air hammer, compressed-air
chisels & drills, jackhammers, riveting guns)
e. Extreme pressure
- cause pain and congestion in ears and may lead to temporary or
permanent loss of hearing
- Hyperbolic environment in which pressure is greater than normal is
experienced by divers, workers in water-tight structures.

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3. BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS
- exposures to plants, animals, molds, fungi, bacteria, grains dust,
and insects can cause acute or chronic infections, allergic reactions,
dermatitis, parasitic infections, viral diseases
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4. ERGONOMIC STRESS/HAZARD

- Human-factors engineering is the study of the customs, habits, and

laws of work and physical & psychological stresses in work

SANITARY ENGINEERING
- Is the application of engineering and biological principles to mans
environment: water, air, food and shelter for the protection and promotion of
public health.

1.) WATER
Much of the environmental control for the protection of health was directed
toward the development of safe water supplies and the removal of sewage and other
wastes incident to human habitation and industrial development.
Pollution of waterways has become a pressing natural problem. In addition to
eliminating needed sources for drinking water, many structures and rivers are so fouled
that they cannot be used for recreation, irrigation or industrial processing.

2.) AIR POLLUTION

Often the result of emissions from industries, is also compromised by residential
fuel burning, refuse incineration, and exhaust from automotive vehicles (atmosphere
inversion).

3.) FOOD
Protection of foods from bacterial contamination and in controlling the
transmission of communicable disease by various kinds of foods.
- Killing bacteria by radiation, maintenance of antibiotic drug residuals in certain
food preservation, and new types of containers and packaging operations.
Botulism food poisoning.

4.) SHELTER
Concern with shelter involves proper heating, cooling, ventilation, illumination,
water supply, and drainage, provision of adequate space within structures, and spaces
between structures.
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 - Control of rodents and insects.

5.) INHILATIONS OF TOXIC AND NOXIOUS FUMES IN FACTORIES

6.) NOISES that may cause deafness, disturbing vibration and computer-related
hazards to the safety of the workers.

INDUSTRIAL WASTE DISPOSAL

- Dispersal of material left over as a result of industrial activities

- Industrial waste range from materials such as sand to poisonous organic
chemicals such as dioxins, among the most toxic substances known to man.

Hydrocarbons Wastes
- Wastes that threaten human health and environment
- 15% of all industrial waste but of extremely dangerous nature
- Generated as result of such activities as mining, smelting, oil production and
refining, conventional and nuclear energy production, and manufacturing of
various products as pesticides, herbicides, chemical solvents, plastics, paper
and pharmaceuticals
- Waste includes solid, liquid, gas and sludge

NONRADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL

1.) LANDFILL

Developed in 1970s and especially designed to contain hazardous industrial

wastes.

Major failures in limes are caused by faulty installation and damage after
installation, improper welding of fabric seams; vehicular membrane causing rips and
tears; cracking owing to exposure to water; exposure or shrinkage; creep owing to
deformation of loads, hydrostatic pressure; differential settling, abrasion.

A. Liners and Leachate Management

B. Solidification and Stabilization

- technology designed to prevent reduced the mobilization of precipitation of

hazardous materials within a landfill

- fixing the waste and prevent them from becoming soluble and being
transported

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 - useful (appropriate) for inorganic materials in aqueous solution or in suspension
and those containing large amount of heavy materials.

a) Cement-based Process

b) Lime-based Process

(a & b) used Portland cement and additives such as flyash to

produce Mesolithic rocklike structure

c) Thermoplastics Solidification

- is a physical process in which fixative encapsulates the waste to

prevent mobilization of the constituents. The waste is dried, then
mixed with bitumen, paraffin, or polyethylene at temperature above
212oF(100oC). After it solidifies it is containerized or
thermoplastically-coated before disposal.

d) Organic Polymer Process

- the waste is mixed with the waste in a receptacle. A catalyst is

added to form a polymer, stirred and put it a containers to solidify.

e) Surface Encapsulation

f) Self-cementing

g) Calcification and Synthetic mineral formation

2.) THERMAL PROCESSING

- use elevated (high) temperature as primary means to change the chemical,

physical, or biological characters or composition of hazardous waste

- it reduces probability of groundwater contamination but poses potential for air

pollution, operational difficulties and cost

2 Basic Forms of Thermal Treatment

A) Incineration involves burning (combustion) of waste in the presence of

oxygen. By- products are water, carbon dioxide and ash. Non-combustibles such as
acids or metal and other inorganic may accumulate in ash or exit in the flue gas.

B) Pyrolysis combustion in an oxygen-poor environment, breaks organic

waste in less complex molecules, simple organic, and ash.

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 Thermal Technologies Potential to Detoxify Hazardous Waste

High Temperature Low Temperature Incinerators

Rotary Kilns Fluidized Bed Combusters

Cement Kilns Multiple Hearth Incinerators

Liquid Injection Incinerators Molten Salt Reactors

Baiting Wet Air Oxidation Plants

Shipboard incinerators

Mobile Incinerators

3.) RESOURCE RECOVERY

- involves the recycling of industrial waste into useful raw materials or energy

Examples:

1. Heat generated by incineration can be used to produce steam for electric

power generation.

2. Lead used in automobile batteries can be recovered for use in the manufacture
on new batteries.

3. Savings can be made from scrap metals, waste paper, wood, waste and other
scraps.

4. Landfills that have existed for number of years generate large quantities of
methane which can be used in cooking or fuel for heating.

RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL

1) Low-Level Waste

- Disposal from uranium ore processing, laboratory research, nuclear

reactants, laboratories, hospitals and incinerators.,
- Radioactivity is generally short lived and contamination is light.

2) High-Level Waste
- these are used fuel nuclear plants and reactors and corrosive liquids
- volume is relatively small but highly radioactive

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3) Intermediate-Level Waste
- it includes reactor components, resins, and other heavily contaminated
equipment and effluents.

Treatment and Disposal:

1) Airborne Waste
Gasabsorption techniques such as packed columns, solid absorbents, and
solid-gas reaction. The cleaned gas maybe discharged to the atmosphere and
entrapped materials as liquid or solids should be disposed in a different manner.

2) Liquid Waste
By chemicalprecipitation techniques, filtration, ion-exchange resin, complete
demineralization, evaporation, biochemical treatment, adsorption
Solid and sludge should be stored in tanks, sealed and buried

3) Solid Waste
- by burying, incineration and remelting of metallic wastes.

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