ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

PHOTOCHEMICAL SMOG

THEORY

Photochemical Smog
Photochemical smog (or just smog for short) is a term used to describe air pollution that is a result of the
interaction of sunlight with certain chemicals in the atmosphere. One of the primary components of
photochemical smog is ozone. While ozone in the stratosphere protects earth from harmful UV
radiation, ozone on the ground is hazardous to human health. Ground-level ozone is formed when
vehicle emissions containing nitrogen oxides (primarily from vehicle exhaust) and volatile organic
compounds (from paints, solvents, and fuel evaporation) interact in the presence of sunlight. Therefore,
some of the sunniest cities are also some of the most polluted.
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) mainly refer to nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide. Nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide
are harmful gases produced by human activity. After receiving the intense ultraviolet irradiation in the
atmosphere, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons (HC) will produce a new secondary pollutant-photochemical smog. During this complex photochemical reaction, it mainly produces photochemical
oxidants (mainly ozone) and other complex compounds, which are generally called as "photochemical
smog".

Major Chemical Pollutants in Photochemical Smog: Sources and Environmental Effects

Toxic Chemical

Nitrogen Oxides (NO and NO2)

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Sources
- combustion of oil, coal, gas in both automobiles
and industry

Environmental Effects

- bacterial action in soil

- NO2 contributes to heart and lung problems

- forest fires

- NO2 can suppress plantgrowth

- volcanic action

- decreased resistance to infection

- lightning

- may encourage the spread of cancer

- evaporation of solvents

- eye irritation

- evaporation of fuels

- respiratory irritation

- incomplete combustion of fossil fuels

- naturally occurring compounds like terpenes
from trees

- some are carcinogenic

- formed from photolysis of NO2

- sometimes results from stratospheric ozone
intrusions

- bronchial constriction

- decreased visibility due to yellowish color of NO2

- decreased visibility due to blue-brown haze

- coughing, wheezing
- respiratory irritation
- eye irritation

Ozone (O3)

- decreased crop yields

- retards plant growth
- damages plastics
- breaks down rubber
- harsh odor

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

PHOTOCHEMICAL SMOG

- formed by the reaction of NO2 with VOCs (can

be formed naturally in some environments)

THEORY

- eye irritation
- high toxicity to plants

Peroxyacetyl Nitrates (PAN)

- respiratory irritation
- damaging to proteins

Control Measures:

Bag house Filter

Venturi scrubber

1. Bag House Filter:

A baghouse filter (FF) is an air pollution control device that removes particulates out of air or gas
released from commercial processes or combustion for electricity generation. Power plants, steel mills,
pharmaceutical producers, food manufacturers, chemical producers and other industrial companies
often use baghouses to control emission of air pollutants.
Working Principle of Bag filter
1. Air along with dust particles under suction or pressure enters the lower portion i.e. hopper of
the bag filter.
2. The air travels through the filter bag, which retains the dust particles on surface of the bag, and
the clean air passes out through bags and plenum to the outlet of Bag filter.
3. Dust is collected on the outside the bag filter
4. Accumulation of dust on bags causes an increase in the differential pressure across the filter
bags. Compressed air is pulsed by a timer actuated series of normally closed pulse valves at
preset intervals causing the valves to open.
5. A momentary rush of high- pressure air (4-5 bar) flows from the compressed air header to the
blow tube and is expelled from the blow tube through nozzles at a high velocity (primary air
flow). Air from each nozzle induces a secondary airflow. The combined effect of the primary and
induced secondary air causes an instantaneous pressure rise on the clean side of the filter bags,
causing a reverse flow air through the filter bags, thus dislodging the dust particles held on the
outer surface of the bags.
6. By this mechanism, the dust collected is released from the bags and falls into the hopper & the
differential pressure is controlled across the Filter Bags.
7. From this hopper it is discharged through suitable device i.e. Rotary valve.
8. Since only fraction of the total filter area of the bag filter is cleaned at any given time,
continuous flow through the bag filter at rated capacities is assured.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

PHOTOCHEMICAL SMOG

THEORY

2. Venturi scrubber
Venturi scrubbers use a liquid stream to remove solid particles. In the venturi scrubber, gas laden with
particulate matter passes through a short tube with flared ends and a constricted middle.
This constriction causes the gas stream to speed up when the pressure is increased. A water spray is
directed into the gas stream either prior to or at the constriction in the tube. The difference in velocity
and pressure resulting from the constriction causes the particles and water to mix and combine.
The reduced velocity at the expanded section of the throat allows the droplets of water containing the
particles to drop out of the gas stream.
Venturi scrubbers are effective in removing small particles, with removal efficiencies of up to 99
percent. One drawback of this device, however, is the production of wastewater.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION

PHOTOCHEMICAL SMOG

Components of a Venturi Scrubber

THEORY