Air Pollution

Department of Industrial Engineering

 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

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

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

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 as
much as 90% of hydrocarbons and volatile
organic compounds emitted from oil refineries
and chemical plants
 Conventional Air Pollutants
Criteria Pollutants or Group of Seven Major
Pollutants
Sulfur dioxide
Carbon monoxide
Particulates (volcanoes, dust storms, forest fires,
fossil fuels, power plants)
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
are gases and are used as fire-extinguishing
agents
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
 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

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
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

any air contaminant, pollutant, gas stream

or unwanted sound from a known
source which is passed into the
atmosphere.
 Pollution Control Device

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)
Adsorbers
 Air Pollution Control
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
 Air Pollution Control
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
Cyclones
 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
Bag House
 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
Liquid Scrubbers
 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
Electrostatic Precipitators
 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
 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;
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
Alternative fuels, processes and operating methods
which will result in the elimination 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.

Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999
(RA 8749)
Excerpt:
SEC. 2. Declaration of Principle. The State shall
protect and advance the right of the people to a
balanced and healthful ecology in accord with
the rhythm and harmony of nature.

The State shall promote and protect the global environment

to attain sustainable development while recognizing the
primary responsibility of local government units to deal
with environmental problems.
Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999
(RA 8749)
Excerpt:
SEC. 3. Declaration of Policies. The State shall
pursue a policy of balancing development and
environmental protection.
To achieve this end, the framework for sustainable
development shall be pursued. It shall be the policy
of the State to:
(a) Formulate a holistic national program of air
pollution management that shall be implemented by
the government through proper delegation and
effective coordination of functions and activities;
Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999
(RA 8749)
(b) Encourage cooperation and self-regulation
among citizens and industries through the
application of market-based instruments;
(c) Focus primarily on pollution prevention rather
than on control and provide for a comprehensive
management program for air pollution;
Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999
(RA 8749)
(d) Promote public information and education and to
encourage the participation of an informed and
active public in air quality planning and monitoring;
and
(e) Formulate and enforce a system of
accountability for short and long-term adverse
environmental impact of a project, program or
activity. This shall include the setting up of a funding
or guarantee mechanism for clean-up and
environmental rehabilitation and compensation for
personal damages.
 Philippine Environmental Legislation
Related to Air Pollution

REPUBLIC ACT 8749 : CLEAN AIR ACT

OF 1999

Read pertinent provisions of this Act.