Air Pollution

Code

CHEE3040

School

Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineeri

Level

3

Credits

10

Semesters

Autumn China

Summary

The module delivers an overview of air pollution problems and range of techniques which are available for its control; sources and effects of air pollutants of major concern; and the development of air quality criteria. The behaviour of the atmosphere and the dispersion of air pollutants are studied. 
Students are introduced to techniques of air pollution measurement and their use in the assessment of the effects that industrial activity may have. An overview of current EU and UK environmental legislation is provided, and the role of the assessment and control of air pollution in the planning application of existing and new industrial process is discussed. The duties of process managers, local authorities and the Environment Agency are discussed in light of the current and proposed legislation. 
This module gives knowledge and understanding of air pollution problems, including a categorization of the types of natural and anthropogenic air pollution sources, sinks, and the effects that air pollutants may produce within the natural and manmade environments. The physiological effects and HSE aspects of air pollution are discussed. A review of national and international standards of permitted emission release and exposure levels of pollution is presented. The student is introduced to the processes of selection and design of pollutant monitoring and control technologies that may be applied to control atmospheric emissions from industrial processes.
 

Target Students

Students registered in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering only. Available to JYA/Erasmus students

Classes

• One 1-hour seminar each week for 12 weeks
• One 2-hour lecture each week for 12 weeks

This module to run concurrent with J1CAPC Air Pollution Control Technology

Assessment

• 100% Exam 1 (2-hour): 2 Hours Exam

Assessed by end of autumn semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

A1.2.6    Have a knowledge and understanding of mathematics necessary for the analysis of and to support applications of key chemical engineering principles and processes. 
•    As evidenced by air pollution dispersion modelling and appropriate selection of technologies for mitigation and measurement of air pollution. 
•    Covered in seen exam question which is on statistical analysis of experimental data, and equipment design. 
A2.2.1 Understand the principles of material and energy balances and be able to apply them to assist in the mitigation or capture of gaseous and particulate emissions from a given process to atmosphere.
•    As evidenced by the ability to design pollution control processes and facilities, and determine the related parameters based on the inflow and outflow data and work out the needed removal efficiencies.  
A2.3.1 Be familiar with the application and limitations of a range of modelling approaches including first-principles models, simple empirical correlations, and artificial intelligence approaches. 
•    Demonstrated by the application of Gaussian plume dispersion modelling to the environmental impact assessment (EIA) of process emissions to atmosphere. Computational environmental risk assessment method used to determine the height and location of process stacks to minimize the impact of emissions to sensitive receptors located in the vicinity of a planned or existing plant operation. Assessed by examination paper question.
A2.4.1 Understand and be able to use basic chemical principles to model the characteristics and performance of a range of typical mixing, separation and similar processing steps for fluids, particulates and multiphase systems to assist in the mitigation or capture of gaseous and particulate emission from a given process to atmosphere.

•  Demonstrated by the ability to select the appropriate type, and determine the size and performance of an integrated application of individual unit operations to either modify and/or mitigate gaseous or particulate process emissions to atmosphere.
•    Assessed as part of  a compulsory seen question that requires the student to detail and justify the selection and design of an appropriate integrated end of pipe treatment system that will in a safe, sustainable and economic manner, mitigate the planned particulate/gaseous emissions to atmosphere from a given process to below current statutory emission limits. 

A2.4.2 Understand the principles on which processing equipment operates to determine equipment size and performance of common items such as reactors, exchangers and columns to assist in the mitigation or capture of gaseous and particulate emissions from a given process to atmosphere. 
•  Demonstrated by the ability to select the appropriate type, and determine the size and performance of an integrated application of individual unit operations to either modify and/or mitigate gaseous or particulate process emissions to atmosphere. 
•    Assessed as part of a compulsory question that requires the student to detail and justify the selection and design of an appropriate integrated end of pipe treatment system that will in a safe, sustainable and economic manner, mitigate the planned particulate/gaseous emissions to atmosphere from a given process to below current statutory emission limits.

A2.6.1  Be able to identify the principal hazard sources in chemical and related processes (including biological hazards)

•  Demonstrated by the ability to identify and rank the potential gaseous and particulate (multi-phase) hazards that may be emitted from the analysis of a given process using a standard hazard identification (HAZID, MSDS) tools. 
•    Assessed as part of  a compulsory seen question that requires the student to detail and justify the selection and design of an appropriate integrated end of pipe treatment system that will in a safe, sustainable and economic manner, mitigate the planned particulate/gaseous emissions to atmosphere from a given process to below current statutory emission limits.
A2.6.2 Understand the principles of safety and loss prevention, and their application to inherently safe design;
•    Demonstrated by the ability to select and design the appropriate pollution prevention and end-of-pipe processes/equipment to reduce/eliminate the likelihoods of hazards occurrence and severity or scale of the consequences of the hazards. 
•    Demonstrate the ability to select the appropriate measurement instrumentation to detect and inform the presence and level of the gaseous and particulate hazards present within the process. Assessed as part of a compulsory seen question that requires the students to detail and justify the selection and design of an appropriate integrated end of pipe treatment system that will in a safe, sustainable and economic manner, mitigate the planned particulate/gaseous emissions to atmosphere from a given process to below current statutory emission limits. 
A2.6.3 Understand the principles or risk assessment and of safety management, and be able to apply techniques for the assessment and abatement of process and product hazards
•    Demonstrated by the ability to identify and rank the potential gaseous and particulate (multi-phase) hazards that may be emitted from the analysis of a given process using a standard hazard identification (HAZID, MSDS) tools. Assessed by means of a compulsory seen examination paper Question set each year that requires the justified selection of an appropriate integrated end of pipe control system, that safely and economically mitigates the planned gaseous/particulate emission from a given process to atmosphere to below current legal emission standards. Demonstrated by the ability to select unit modifications to the initial process to minimize the identified principal hazards, or to include appropriate mitigation unit operations to minimize such hazardous emissions to atmosphere. Assessed by examination paper question.

A2.7.1 Understand and be able to apply the principles of sustainability (environmental, social, economic) and the ability to apply techniques for analysing the interaction of process, product and plant with the environment and minimising adverse impacts.

•  Demonstrated by the ability to identify sensitive receptor populations from an analysis of the local meteorological and topographical record, and the ability to rank gaseous and particulate emission species according to their potential harm, identified by a preliminary hazard identification, subsequently supported by a detailed identification of the permitted maximum emission flow rates and receptor threshold exposure limits of these principal hazard species. 
 

Conveners

• Prof Jun HE