Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Air pollution control industry'

Urban air pollution and climate are closely connected due to shared generating processes (e.g., combustion) for emissions of the driving gases and aerosols. They are also connected because the atmospheric lifecycles of common air pollutants such as CO, NOx and VOCs, and of the climatically important methane gas (CH4) and sulfate aerosols, both involve the fast photochemistry of the hydroxyl free radical (OH). Thus policies designed to address air pollution may impact climate and vice versa. We present calculations using a model coupling economics, atmospheric chemistry, climate and ecosystems to illustrate some effects of air pollution policy alone on global warming. We consider caps on emissions of NOx, CO, volatile organic carbon, and SOx both individually and combined in two ways. These caps can lower ozone causing less warming, lower sulfate aerosols yielding more warming, lower OH and thus increase CH4 giving more warming, and finally, allow more carbon uptake by ecosystems leading to less warming. Overall, these effects significantly offset each other suggesting that air pollution policy has a relatively small net effect on the global mean surface temperature and sea level rise. However, our study does not account for the effects of air pollution policies on overall demand for fossil fuels and on the choice of fuels (coal, oil, gas), nor have we considered the effects of caps on black carbon or organic carbon aerosols on climate. These effects, if included, could lead to more substantial impacts of capping pollutant emissions on global temperature and sea level than concluded here. Caps on aerosols in general could also yield impacts on other important aspects of climate beyond those addressed here, such as the regional patterns of cloudiness and precipitation.
Abstract in HTML and technical report in PDF available on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change website (http://mit.edu/globalchange/www/).
This research was supported by the U.S Department of Energy, U.S. National Science Foundation, and the Industry Sponsors of the MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change: Alstom Power (France), American Electric Power (USA), BP p.l.c. (UK/USA), ChevronTexaco Corporation (USA), DaimlerChrysler AG (Germany), Duke Energy (USA), J-Power (Electric Power Development Co., Ltd.) (Japan), Electric Power Research Institute (USA), Electricité de France, ExxonMobil Corporation (USA), Ford Motor Company (USA), General Motors (USA), Mirant (USA), Murphy Oil Corporation (USA), Oglethorpe Power Corporation (USA), RWE/Rheinbraun (Germany), Shell International Petroleum (Netherlands/UK), Statoil (Norway), Tennessee Valley Authority (USA), Tokyo Electric Power Company (Japan), TotalFinaElf (France), Vetlesen Foundation (USA).

This thesis examines the implementation of air pollution control at the local level within the UK. Focusing upon the local air pollution control regime (LAPC) that is regulated by local authorities under the provisions of Part One of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the research assesses whether this system has been effective in controlling localised emissions from industrial processes. To place the research in context, it essentially evaluates the implementation of LAPC with reference to its main objectives: to reduce industrial emissions and improve local air quality, to provide greater clarity and certainty for business and to allow the public greater access to local environmental information. The methodology adopted to undertake the research was based upon grounded theory and naturalistic inquiry. As such, the research programme was structured in phases where initially, essential baseline data was collected on the LAPC system. This quantitative data provided the foundations from which more detailed qualitative work was undertaken in the field in subsequent phases of the research. This allowed the research to build towards theory utilising an emergent, yet structured research design. As the research progressed, a range of complementary methods were used to collect data about the LAPC system. Initially, the research critically evaluated the major Reports that had been written on LAPC in order to establish benchmarks from which implementation of the LAPC system could be assessed. To keep the research within defined limits, a case study approach was adopted, using Lancashire as the case study area. Under the first phase of the research a questionnaire was used to survey the process operators within the region in order to collect baseline information about their processes and to obtain their views and perceptions of the LAPC system. Under the second phase qualitative research was carried out in the field. This involved detailed, semi-structured, faceto-face interviews with the process operators and the DETR and examination of documentary evidence within the Public Registers held by Lancashire's local authorities. The phased approach allowed the research to explore progressively deeper into the key areas associated with the implementation of the LAPC system. In particular, the research examined local authority enforcement and administration of the LAPC system to assess their regulatory performance and to determine the strategies they adopt to achieve compliance. The research also focused upon the process operators to assess their capacity to comply with the duties and responsibilities placed upon them under LAPC. The work offers a new perspective as it focuses upon both regulators and operators alike and examines their performance from the outset of LAPC to its closing stages. The research findings allow conclusions to be drawn on the relationship that exists between these "stakeholders" and the regulatory conditions that exist within the system. The research findings suggest that local authorities and process operators have had difficulty in discharging their duties under the LAPC system. For various reasons, the capacity of the regulators and the operators to achieve compliance has been compromised. The difficulties that the stakeholders have faced in striving to come to terms with the LAPC system have influenced their compliance strategies and affected the relationship that exists between them. This research identifies and examines these difficulties and assesses their performance under such conditions.

This dissertation studies the policy process which produced and implemented the Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) system in 1990, administered by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution (HMIP). It assesses how IPC was implemented in terms of setting pollution control standards, hQWIPC compares with the air pollution regime it replaced, and in terms of IPC's policy output. Policy network concepts are used to analyse the networks of interaction between policy actors as they seek to influence the policy process. The research involved interviews with these policy actors, plus analysis of relevant documentation - including a content analysis of the new IPC public register. The analysis is presented historically, beginning with the policy network of regulator and industry which negotiated air pollution controls. Public interest groups criticised this regime in the early 1970s for the informal, consensual, and confidential way it set and enforced air pollution standards. During the 1980s, European legislation put pressure upon domestic pollution control practice. Industry began lobbying for improvements to the flexible British regime as a bulwark against European formalism. Several factors led to HMJP's creation and IPC introduction, including European and industrial pressures, but also a belief by government that change had deregulatory potential. Regulatory procedures under IPC are more transparent and formal. However, standard setting was at HMIP's discretion, to be exercised during IPC implementation. HMIP initially intended to break from the past and do this at arms'length from industry. Analysis of this implementation stage uses the organic chemicals sector for case study. It explains why IPC has suffered an 'implementation deficit' compared to HMIP's initial intentions. Moreover, improvements to industrial pollution control are negotiated in a policy network similar to its air pollution predecessor. It is argued that within the formal legal framework, persists an infonnal, consensual, and somewhat opaque pollution regime.

Thesis (MTech (Environmental Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015.
The integrity of natural air has been compromised due to the deposition of chemical, biological and particulate substances from natural and anthropogenic sources. Adverse health consequences arising from the exposure of plants, animals and human to elevated atmospheric concentrations have been reported severally. The ambient baseline levels of many air contaminants in urban and industrial layouts of many Africa cities, especially Zimbabwe have not been fully characterized. Information on levels of these contaminants and their real time variability is therefore scarce and scanty. In this study, the ambient air concentration levels of selected gaseous pollutants in the vicinity of a fertilizer production facility in Zimbabwe were investigated. Nine sampling stations were systematically and randomly identified for the measurement of selected air pollutants (SO2, NO2, and NH3) the fertilizer production factory to capture air quality data on all wind directions. The electrochemical Drager Sensors which rely on electrochemical measuring transducer for measuring concentration of gases under atmospheric conditions was used for the measurement of NH3, SO2, and NO2. The ambient air monitored was allowed to diffuse through a membrane into the sensor liquid electrolytes, containing a sensing electrode, a counter electrode, a reference electrode, and an electronic potentiostat-circuit which ensures constant electrical voltage between the sensing electrode and the reference electrode. The flow of electrons, generated by the reaction is proportional to the concentration of the measured gas. The observed concentrations of NH3, SO2, and NO2 measured within and around the study site were very variable. Levels of NH3 ranged between 0.36 - 7.36 ppm; corresponding values for SO2 and NO2 were 0.02 - 84.61 ppm and 0.61 - 34.78 ppm respectively. These concentrations were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than measured (NH3; 0.01 - 0.05 ppm: SO2; 0.03 - 0.18 ppm: NO2; 0.17 - 1.30 ppm) at the control sampling station about 5 km from the industry. Isokinetic and dissipation of the measured gases, governed by the processes of molecular diffusion and convection, confirmed a common pattern of distance dissipation. Thus, the cloud concentrations of NH3, SO2, and NO2 within the facility were higher than observed distances away from the fertilizer factory.
Zimbabwe Presidential Scholarship

In this study, integrated pollution control (IPC) is viewed as an approach which seeks the most cost-effective way of reducing the overall risk to human health and the environment from all pollutants in all environmental media. It does this by simultaneously taking into account all pollutant discharges, all available control options, the transport of all pollutants in the environment following discharge, and the resulting risk to human health and environment. The purpose of this study is to determine whether it is technically feasible to implement the IPC approach. IPC is considered technically feasible if a methodology capable of selecting a pollution control strategy under an IPC framework can be developed and if the methodology is reliable - i.e., the assumptions underlying the model are valid, and adequate data are available. A typical IPC methodology involves identifying pollutant sources and pollution control options, tracing the pollutants through the environment, determining risks to human health and the environment resulting from the ambient pollutant concentrations, and identifying the most cost-effective pollution control alternative. In this study, three submodels - pollution control and cost, pollution transport, and risk assessment - are used to provide information for the first three steps of the IPC methodology. An IPC model which integrates information provided by the three submodels and selects the most cost-effective control strategy from a given set of pollution control alternatives is developed. The model is applied to a case-study which involves a hypothetical coal-fired power plant situated in a realistic physical setting. Rather than identifying the most cost-effective solution for the case-study, the purpose here is to demonstrate what is involved in the implementation of the IPC approach through a simplified example. Specifically, the study systematically documents the limitations of the approach, which result from the unavailability of data, the inadequacy of modeling techniques, and difficulty in dealing with value based issues. The author's sense of the likelihood that these limitations can be overcome is presented. The study resulted in some general observations which reflect on the applicability of IPC to pollution control. For instance, the observation is made that to increase the reliability of the IPC model, the pollution transport and risk assessment models need significant development, with particularly extensive efforts required in the risk assessment area in terms of both data development and modeling. The study concludes that, at the present time, development of IPC is not at a point where it can be implemented with confidence. However, the author contends that despite its limitations, and irrespective of whether or not IPC can ever be implemented, the approach can be used as a valuable tool for analyzing environmental systems in that it reveals issues that might be lost if the system is analyzed component by component.
Ph. D.

El crecimiento industrial ha acarreado grandes avances tecnológicos para nuestra sociedad. Lamentablemente, el precio a pagar por estos avances ha sido un aumento significativo de los niveles de contaminación del aire en todo el mundo, afectando tanto a zonas urbanas como a las zonas rurales. Por lo general, la monitorización de la calidad aire se realiza mediante estaciones de monitorización fijas. Sin embargo, este método es demasiado costoso, poco escalable y difícil de implementar en nuestras ciudades, las cuales están cada vez más pobladas. El uso de Mobile CrowdSensing, paradigma en el cual la monitorización la realizan los propios usuarios, permite realizar monitorización ambiental utilizando sensores móviles integrados en vehículos. Los posibles escenarios se pueden dividir en dos: entornos urbanos, donde hay un amplio conjunto de vehículos disponibles, y entornos rurales o industriales, donde el tráfico vehicular es escaso y está limitado a las principales arterias de transporte. Teniendo en cuenta estos dos escenarios, esta tesis propone una arquitectura, llamada EcoSensor, que permite monitorizar la contaminación del aire utilizando pequeños sensores de bajo coste instalados en diferentes tipos de vehículos, tales como bicicletas, automóviles o autobuses del sistema de transporte público, en el caso de entornos urbanos, y en drones o UAS en entornos rurales. La arquitectura propuesta está compuesta por tres componentes: un sensor de bajo coste para capturar datos de contaminación, un smartphone para realizar un preprocesamiento de la información y para transmitir los datos hacia un servidor central, y el servidor central, encargado de almacenar y procesar la información de contaminación ambiental. Para entornos urbanos, analizamos diferentes alternativas con respecto al diseño de una unidad de monitorización de bajo coste basada en plataformas de prototipado comerciales como RaspberryPi o Arduino, junto con sensores también de precio reducido. En la tesis realizamos un análisis, y proponemos un proceso, para llevar a cabo la monitorización ambiental utilizando la arquitectura propuesta. Este proceso abarca cuatro operaciones básicas: captura de datos, conversión de unidades, reducción de la variabilidad temporal, e interpolación espacial. Para entornos rurales, proponemos el uso de drones como unidades de sensorización móviles. Específicamente, equipamos el drone con capacidades de monitorización a través de un microordenador RaspberryPi y sensores de calidad del aire de bajo coste. Finalmente, se propone un algoritmo llamado PdUC para controlar el vuelo del UAV con el objetivo de realizar monitorización ambiental, identificando las áreas más contaminadas, y tratando de ese modo de mejorar la precisión general y la velocidad de monitorización. Además, proponemos una mejora a este algoritmo, denominada PdUC-D, basada en la discretización del área a monitorizar dividiéndola en pequeñas áreas (tiles), donde cada tile se monitoriza una sola vez, evitando así realizar muestreos redundantes. En general, verificamos que la monitorización móvil es una aproximación eficiente y fiable para monitorizar la contaminación del aire en cualquier entorno, ya sea usando vehículos o bicicletas en entornos urbanos, o UAVs en entornos rurales. Con respecto al proceso de monitorización ambiental, validamos nuestra propuesta comparando los valores obtenidos por nuestros sensores móviles de bajo coste con respecto a los valores típicos de referencia ofrecidos por las estaciones de monitorización fijas para el mismo período y ubicación, comprobando que los resultados son semejantes, y están acuerdo a lo esperado. Además, demostramos que PdUC-D, permite guiar autónomamente un UAV en tareas de monitorización del aire, ofreciendo un mejor rendimiento que los modelos de movilidad típicos, reduciendo tanto los errores de predicción como el tiempo para cubrir el área completa,
Industrial growth has brought unforeseen technological advances to our society. Unfortunately, the price to pay for these advances has been an increase of the air pollution levels worldwide, affecting both urban and countryside areas. Typically, air pollution monitoring relies on fixed monitoring stations to carry out the pollution control. However, this method is too expensive, not scalable, and hard to implement in any city. The Mobile Crowdsensing (MCS) approach, a novel paradigm whereby users are in charge of performing monitoring tasks, allows environment monitoring to be made using small sensors embedded in mobile vehicles. The possible scenarios can be divided into two: urban scenarios, where a wide set of vehicles are available, and rural and industrial areas, where vehicular traffic is scarce and limited to the main transportation arteries. Considering these two scenarios, in this thesis we propose an architecture, called EcoSensor, to monitor the air pollution using small sensors installed in vehicles, such as bicycles, private cars, or the public transportation system, applicable to urban scenarios, and the use of an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) in rural scenarios. Three main components compose our architecture: a low-cost sensor to capture pollution data, a smartphone to preprocess the pollution information and transmit the data towards a central server, and the central server, to store and process pollution information. For urban scenarios, we analyze different alternatives regarding the design of a low-cost sensing unit based on commercial prototyping platforms such as Raspberry Pi or Arduino, and Commercial Off-the-shelf (COTS) air quality sensors. Moreover, we analyze and propose a process to perform pollution monitoring using our architecture. This process encompasses four basic operations: data reading, unit conversion, time variability reduction, and spatial interpolation. For rural scenarios, we propose the use of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) as a mobile sensor. Specifically, we equip the UAV with sensing capabilities through a Raspberry Pi microcomputer and low-cost air quality sensors. Finally, we propose an algorithm, called Pollution-driven UAV Control (PdUC), to control the UAV flight for monitoring tasks by focusing on the most polluted areas, and thereby attempting to improve the overall accuracy while minimizing flight time. We then propose an improvement to this algorithm, called Discretized Pollution-driven UAV Control (PdUC-D), where we discretize the target area by splitting it into small tiles, where each tile is monitored only once, thereby avoiding redundant sampling. Overall, we found that mobile sensing is a good approach for monitoring air pollution in any environment, either by using vehicles or bicycles in urban scenarios, or an UAVs in rural scenarios. We validate our proposal by comparing obtained values by our mobile sensors against typical values reported by monitoring stations at the same time and location, showing that the results are right, matching the expected values with a low error. Moreover, we proved that PdUC-D, our protocol for the autonomous guidance of UAVs performing air monitoring tasks, has better performance than typical mobility models in terms of reducing the prediction errors and reducing the time to cover the whole area.Moreover, we analyze and propose a process to perform pollution monitoring using our architecture. This process encompasses four basic operations: data reading, unit conversion, time variability reduction, and spatial interpolation.
El creixement industrial ha implicat grans avanços tecnològics per a la nostra societat. Lamentablement, el preu que cal pagar per aquests avanços ha sigut un augment significatiu dels nivells de contaminació de l'aire a tot el món, que afecta tant zones urbanes com zones rurals. En general, el monitoratge de la qualitat aire es fa mitjançant estacions de monitoratge fixes. No obstant això, aquest mètode és massa costós, poc escalable i difícil d'implementar a les nostres ciutats, les quals estan cada vegada més poblades. L'ús de Mobile CrowdSensing (MCS), paradigma en el qual el monitoratge el duen a terme els mateixos usuaris, permet realitzar monitorització ambiental tenint sensors mòbils integrats en vehicles. Els possibles escenaris es poden dividir en dos: entorns urbans, on hi ha un ampli conjunt de vehicles disponibles, i entorns rurals o industrials, on el trànsit vehicular és escàs i està limitat a les principals artèries de transport. Tenint en compte aquests dos escenaris, aquesta tesi proposa una arquitectura, anomenada EcoSensor, que permet monitorar la contaminació de l'aire utilitzant petits sensors de baix cost instal·lats en diferents tipus de vehicles, com ara bicicletes, automòbils o autobusos del sistema de transport públic, en el cas d'entorns urbans, i en UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) en entorns rurals. L'arquitectura proposada està composta per tres components: un sensor de baix cost per a capturar dades de contaminació, un smartphone per a realitzar un preprocessament de la informació i per a transmetre les dades cap a un servidor central, i el servidor central, encarregat d'emmagatzemar i processar la informació de contaminació ambiental. Per a entorns urbans, analitzem diferents alternatives pel que fa al disseny d'una unitat de monitoratge (sensor mòbil) de baix cost basada en plataformes de prototipatge comercials com Raspberry Pi o Arduino, juntament amb sensors també de preu reduït. En la tesi fem una anàlisi, i proposem un procés, per a dur a terme el monitoratge ambiental utilitzant l'arquitectura proposada. Aquest procés abasta quatre operacions bàsiques: captura de dades, conversió d'unitats, reducció de la variabilitat temporal, i interpolació espacial. Per a entorns rurals, proposem l'ús de drons o Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) com a unitats de sensorització mòbils. Específicament, equipem el dron amb capacitats de monitoratge a través d'un microordinador Raspberry Pi i sensors de qualitat de l'aire de baix cost. Finalment, es proposa un algorisme anomenat PdUC (Pollution-driven UAV Control) per a controlar el vol del UAV amb l'objectiu de realitzar monitoratge ambiental, que identifica les àrees més contaminades i que, d'aquesta manera, tracta de millorar la precisió general i la velocitat de monitoratge. A més, proposem una millora a aquest algorisme, denominada PdUC-D, basada en la discretització de l'àrea a monitorar dividint-la en xicotetes àrees (tiles), on cada tile es monitora una sola vegada, fet que evita dur a terme mostrejos redundants. En general, verifiquem que el monitoratge mòbil és una aproximació eficient i fiable per a monitorar la contaminació de l'aire en qualsevol entorn, ja siga usant vehicles o bicicletes en entorns urbans, o UAVs en entorns rurals. Pel que fa al procés de monitoratge ambiental, validem la nostra proposta comparant els valors obtinguts pels nostres sensors mòbils de baix cost pel que fa als valors típics de referència oferits per les estacions de monitoratge fixes per al mateix període i ubicació, i es comprova que els resultats són semblants, i estan d'acord amb el resultat esperat. A més, es demostra que PdUC-D permet guiar autònomament un UAV en tasques de monitoratge de l'aire, oferint un millor rendiment que els models de mobilitat típics, reduint tant els errors de predicció com el temps per a cobrir l'àrea completa, i aconseguint una major precisió dins de les àrees més
Alvear Alvear, ÓP. (2018). Mobile Sensing Architecture for Air Pollution Monitoring [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/107928
TESIS

Air quality in the Shenandoah Valley has deteriorated in recent years. The valley exceeds the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone (O3) a few days each year, and with stricter fine particulate matter (PM2.5) standards coming into effect, the valley risks exceeding those as well. Visibility is poor in the valley region, and the haze obscures the spectacular vistas from the Shenandoah National Park. To solve the growing problem local governments in the valley joined forces to find economically and politically feasible ways to reduce air pollution. In this study we aim to provide the scientific basis for air quality management strategies through modeling the sensitivity of various pollutants to changes in emissions. We distinguish between locally generated versus regionally transported air pollution as well as assess the impacts of proposed local air pollution control measures on ambient air quality in the valley. The first part of this thesis assesses air pollutant emissions in the Shenandoah Valley. Emissions were assigned to one of 14 source categories and allocated by county or city. Biogenic sources were responsible for 56% of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted in the valley. VOCs are important because they, together with nitrogen oxides (NOx) react to form O3 in the presence of sunlight. On-road and off-road mobile sources were the largest anthropogenic sources of VOCs as well as 63% of the NOx. PM2.5 emissions were not dominated by any single source, but fuel combustion, dust, and agriculture were important contributors. The second part of this thesis focuses on modeling ambient air pollution concentrations in the Shenandoah Valley based on the emissions generated in the first portion. We developed a set of three alternative emissions scenarios for comparison to the base case. We first zeroed anthropogenic emissions in the valley, allowing us to determine how much pollution was produced by local sources versus transported into the valley from upwind areas. We then developed a scenario that contained nine different pollution reduction strategies being considered by local governments. Finally we modeled a similar scenario in which we predicted the impact of ten proposed greenhouse gas reduction strategies on concentrations of O3 and PM2.5. We found that PM2.5 concentrations fell when emissions in the valley were reduced, but O3 did not. PM2.5 concentrations fell by 26-57% for the Zero Case and by 10-27% for the other two cases, depending on the time of year and location. Conversely for O3 there was either no change in most seasons or a small increase in concentrations in the fall. These results suggest that PM2.5 in the valley can be controlled with local measures but O3 is a more geographically wide problem.
Master of Science

Air pollution control (APC) residues are by-products of the flue gas cleaning process in energy-from-waste (EfW) plants treating municipal solid waste. They are classified as a hazardous waste in the EU Waste Catalogue and are a priority hazardous waste stream in the UK due to high alkalinity, concentrations of volatile heavy metals and soluble salts. Plans currently exist to increase the number of EfW plants in the UK, with the potential to increase future arisings of APC residues. Stabilisation/solidification (S/S) is an inexpensive treatment technology, involving mixing of the waste with cementitious binders. The main objective of this research is to assess the effectiveness of CEM I and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) as S/S binders for the treatment of APC residues. The ultimate goal is to expand existing knowledge on S/S systems and assist development of more sustainable treatment methods for APC residues. S/S APC residue specimens were prepared varying the waste-to-binder and water-to-solids ratios and subsequently tested for physical properties and contaminant leaching according to international standards. Geochemical modelling was used to assess contaminant release-controlling processes and contribute to more efficient mix and treatment design. Results from this study indicate that mechanical properties of 50 wt.% CEM I and GGBS mixes exceed UK landfill disposal criteria (1.0 MPa), achieving unconfined compressive strength (UCS) values of up to 21 MPa. CEM I mixes with 10 and 20 wt.% binder addition also met the criterion of 1.0 MPa, achieving UCS values of up to 10 MPa. In contrast, 10 and 20 wt.% GGBS mixes exhibited inferior mechanical properties (UCS < 1.0 MPa). S/S is hampered predominantly by high concentrations of chloride in APC residues. All monolithic S/S samples exceeded relevant UK waste acceptance criteria (monWAC) for chloride (20,000 mg/m2) within the first two days of the 64-day monolithic leaching test. Altough partial immobilisation occurs through the formation of chloro-complexes, S/S of APC residues would require binder additions greater than 50 wt.% to meet UK requirements for landfill disposal. Leaching of Pb also becomes problematic for mixes with 10 and 20 wt.% binder addition, exceeding UK monWAC (20 mg/m2). Nevetheless, the amphoteric nature of heavy metals and the high solubility of chloride salts could favour extraction of potentially valuable elements through washing procedures. Modelling results indicate that a simple washing step may be able to extract 650 mg of Pb and 120 mg of Zn per kg of APC residues treated, while removing approximately 90% of available chloride.

The EPA press release dated February 23, 2004 states that the three Buckeye Egg Farm facilities had the potential to emit more than a combined total of 1850 tons per year of particulate matter (PM). This number was based on flowrate calculations that were three times higher than those measured as well as a failure to include particle size distributions in the emissions calculations. The annual PM emission for each facility was approximately 35 tons per year. The EPA was unjustified in requiring Buckeye Egg Farm to obtain Title V and PSD permits as the facilities could not have met the thresholds for these permits. Engineers need to be concerned with correctly measuring and calculating emission rates in order to enforce the current regulations. Consistency among regulators and regulations includes using the correct emission factors for regulatory permitting purposes. EPA has adopted AERMOD as the preferred dispersion model for regulatory use on the premise that it more accurately models the dispersion of pollutants near the surface of the Earth than ISCST3; therefore, it is inappropriate to use the same emission factor in both ISCST3 and AERMOD in an effort to equitably regulate PM sources. For cattle feedlots in Texas, the ISCST3 emission factor is 7 kg/1000 hd-day (16 lb/1000 hd-day) while the AERMOD emission factor is 5 kg/1000 hd-day (11 lb/1000 he-day). The EPA is considering implementing a crustal exclusion for the PM emitted by agricultural sources. Over the next five years, it will be critical to determine a definition of crustal particulate matter that researchers and regulators can agree upon. It will also be necessary to develop a standard procedure to determine the crustal mass fraction of particulate matter downwind from a source to use in the regulatory process. It is important to develop a procedure to determine the particulate matter mass fraction of crustal downwind from a source before the crustal exclusion can be implemented to ensure that the exclusion is being used correctly and consistently among all regulators. According to my findings, the mass fraction of crustal from cattle feedlot PM emissions in the Texas High Plains region is 52%.

The main purpose of this thesis was to compare GAC adsorption method, VOCs incinerationmethod and Non-treatment alternative by using LCA to find which method or alternative isenvironmentally preferable. The LCA framework proposed by ISO 14040 (1997) has beenconsidered in this research. The comparison was made by considering a flue gas contaminatedby toluene (with three different concentration 100, 1000, 2000 mg/m3). The plant locationwhere the polluted flue gas is emitted has been assumed to be located in Borås, Sweden. Theflow rate of emitted flue gas was 10000m3/hr. The present thesis report contains two mainparts.The results of LCA showed that when the toluene concentration is low (< 100 mg/m3), GACadsorption method, Non-treatment alternative and VOCs incineration method are respectivelypreferable from environmental point of view. On the other side, when the tolueneconcentration of inlet stream is high (>1000 mg/m3), the order of GAC adsorption method,incineration and Non-treatment alternative is more desirable. Furthermore, the resultsillustrated that as toluene plays the role of fuel as a hydrocarbon, VOCs incineration methodis much more suitable when toluene concentration is high due to lower demand on additionalfuel. In the other words, high toluene concentration of influent leads to less environmentalimpact when VOCs incineration method is exploited. Conversely, the environmental impactof GAC adsorption method is increased when the inlet concentration of toluene is escalated.In overall, the weighted result showed that GAC adsorption method is the most preferablemethod while Non-treatment alternative is the worst.

"July 2007".
Thesis PhD -- Macquarie University, Division of Law, Centre for Environmental Law, 2007.
Bibliography: p. 334-369.
Mode of access: World Wide Web.
Also available in print form
xvi, 376 p

About 66% of all heat energy generated in Sweden originates from the incineration of municipal solid waste and biofuels such as wood, cardboard and peat. In addition to heat energy, incinerators generate about 1.7 Mt of ashes each year, of which 500 000 t are air pollution control (APC) residues. APC residues from municipal solid waste incineration are usually landfilled whereas those from biofuel incinerators are used in roads, as soil fertilizers, and as amendments for stabilizing APC residues classified as hazardous waste. The physico-chemical properties of compacted APC residues are such that they could be viable alternatives to clay in landfill cover liners, and could also replace cement in cases where a solidified structure is desired. However, APC residues are classified as waste and their use may rise concern due to the release of harmful substances into the environment. This thesis examines the environmental impact of APC residues when used together with other waste materials (e.g. sewage sludge, bottom ash, compost) in a landfill cover. In addition, the suitability of APC residues as amendments for stabilizing contaminated soil and their effect on the stability of treated soil under landfill conditions was investigated. The environmental impacts of alternative landfill cover were evaluated by field and laboratory tests that examined two water streams: the landfill cover’s drainage water and its leachate. The drainage water that seeps above the landfill cover liner and is drained away from a landfill cover was contaminated with Cl-, N, TOC and the trace elements As, Cu, Mo, Ni, Se, Pb and Zn. This water stream will need treatment for at least three to four decades. The amounts of landfill cover leachate that percolated through the liner in the field test ranged from 3 to 30 l (m2 y)-1, which was below the legal limit on the leachate flow in non-hazardous waste landfills (

Godkänd; 2015; 20141215 (igotra); Nedanstående person kommer att disputera för avläggande av teknologie doktorsexamen. Namn: Igor Travar Ämne: Avfallsteknik/Waste Science and Technology Uppsats: The Use of Air Pollution Control Residues in Landfill Covers and for Soil Stabilization Opponent: Dr Richard Beaven, Principal Research Fellow, Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton, United Kingdom Ordförande: Professor Jurate Kumpiene, Institutionen för samhällsbyggnad och naturresurser, Luleå tekniska universitet Tid: Fredag den 30 januari 2015 kl. 10.00 Plats: F1031, Luleå tekniska universite

The harmful effects of air pollutants on human beings and environment have been the major reason for efforts in sampling, analysis and control of their sources. The major pollutants emitted to atmosphere from stationary combustion processes are nitrogen oxides, inorganic acids, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon and soot. In the current work two methods are developed for sampling and analysis of volatile chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons and semi-volatile chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons for example 2,3,7,8 tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) by using solid sorbent, thermal desorption and high resolution GC-MS. The capacity of several solid sorbents is compared by breakthrough value and percentage recovery ofthe analyte from the sorbent. The thermal stability of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and PVC in the presence of metals is studied because PVC is a polymer commonly found in solid waste derived from medical waste, car recycling and electrical cable. Harmful pollutant emissions from combustion and pyrolysis of PVC are measured using the novel method developed in this work. The main inorganic volatile is HCl while benzene is the major volatile organic formed under pyrolysis and combustion conditions. The thermal degradation of PVC produces a large number of chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbon, aromatic hydrocarbon and short chain linear gases. A study is designed for control of harmful pollutants from combustion of PVC including HCl, aromatic hydrocarbon, chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons and soot. It is reported that the presence of metal oxides have the ability to control the level of harmful emissions by facilitating the producing of more short chain linear gases. A study is designed for control of harmful pollutants from combustion of PVC including HCl, aromatic hydrocarbon, chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons and soot. It is reported that the presence of metal oxides have the ability to control the level of harmful emissions by facilitating the producing of more short chain linear gases. Two methods are developed for the control of soot from liquid and gas combustion process by using applied fields, Magnetic and electric fields. In this study, it is shown that an increase in applied field strength leads to an increase in flame temperature but a decrease in the length of flame. The level of soot emission was decreased in presence of an applied field. A discussion of the effect of applied fields on the combustion process is given.

Waste materials are hazardous if they display toxic, corrosive or other characteristics which have the potential to cause danger to health or the environment. New regulations to meet the requirements of the Landfill Directive contain controls on hazardous waste including the requirement to pre-treat hazardous waste prior to disposal and to ensure these wastes meet stringent waste acceptance criteria (WAC) on leachability. Waste from the cleaning of combustion gases produced from municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration is classed as hazardous by virtue of their corrosive properties. The majority of these air pollution control (APC) residues which contain dioxins, heavy metals and high levels of chloride are currently sent to landfill. To meet the new controls, pretreatment will be required to improve the handling properties and reduce the release of chloride ions into the environment. Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) is used to treat hazardous wastes. The solid form produced with the addition of OPC is however susceptible to degradation from aggressive leaching fluids and may release contaminants over time. Additives with high silica content can be used to interact with free lime produced during OPC hydration to improve the physical and chemical properties of the solid waste form. The treatment of MSW APC residues with sodium silicate and cement produces a solid waste form with a reduced structural integrity and a tendency to breakdown under attack from aggressive fluids. Silica 'gels' are formed during initial setting reactions which 'depolymerise' with fluid ingress to form new calcium rich silica 'gels' within cracks and voids of the solid waste form. Expansion due to water absorption and continual 'gel' formation causes structural failure. The addition of sodium silicate to sludges produced from a current treatment by mixing MSW APC residues with other mixed hazardous waste improves strength development by 'encapsulating' the waste sludge inside a calcium/silica 'gel'. This stops components of the sludge from interfering with normal OPC hydration. The treatment of MSW APC residues with sodium silicate will not produce a solid form to meet the new waste acceptance criteria. However, sodium silicate has the potential to improve handling and structural integrity of the sludge produced from the current treatment process.

A variety of methods exist to remove volatile organic compound (VOC) air pollutants from contaminated gas streams. As regulatory and public opinion pressures increase, companies are searching for more effective methods to control these emissions. This document is intended as a guide to help determine if existing systems are adequate and to provide additional information to improve the efficiency of the systems. It explores conventional methods of controlling VOC emissions, as well as innovative technologies including membrane separation, plasma destruction, and ozone catalytic oxidation. The conventional technologies covered include condensation, adsorption, absorption (or scrubbing), thermal incineration, flaring, catalytic incineration, and biofiltration. Each chapter includes a description of the technology, a discussion of the types of systems available, notes on the design of the system, economic estimates, an explanation of potential problems, and a list of considerations for installation and maintenance concerns. The final chapter is dedicated to the preparation and characterization of metal catalysts which were developed to improve the reaction rate of VOCs using ozone as an oxidant.
Ph. D.

碩士
國立中央大學
哲學研究所碩士在職專班
96
As a result of the many construction projects that have led to the economic development of Taiwan, there has come convenience but also environmental pollution. The construction work has caused great harm to the ecosystem. It has forced governments everywhere to continually strengthen their laws to defend and protect against air pollution and aggressively seek out ways to prevent global warming in order to build a common awareness of the proper attitude towards environmental responsibility. With this in mind, we should ask if the environmental policy decision making and resource distribution of governments is reasonable. Also, is the protection of the environment effective when their decisions are carried out? It is worthwhile to investigate these questions. The construction industry’s traditional understanding lacks self-motivation for concern over environmental ethics. So we need to search more diligently for ways to increase their self-motivation and encourage the government and construction industry engaged in residential and business construction to begin to take more responsibility for the care of the environment. This paper is based on the environmental justice point of view, using self-motivation construction reflection to expand environmental human rights to the environment rights. And it also promotes an active self-inspection system for pollution prevention rather than a passive one. Recently in Taiwan there has been serious corruption and pollution which has accompanied major construction projects. The society has had to pay a heavy cost over them. They also involve the business ethics and decision making. This paper will formulate an effective model for environmental ethics decision making by researching actual cases to help the government and business play an active role in controlling the problems of environmental pollution. In the end, I will use the example that Taipei City promotes the construction projects which follow the self-inspection pollution best as a model. I will also refer to the Global Views Monthly magazine which awarded the businesses that took the most social responsibility in June, 2005 as a model, too. Hopefully, the government can give green environment medals and tax deductions to the members of the construction industry which best fulfill the standards of pollution prevention. Besides the traditional environmental pollution and ecosystems, the government also needs to encourage the construction industry to extend protection to other economic and social development fields such as other industry developments, construction projects in cities, the establishment of communities, the maintenance of social justice, and the production, consumption, protection and usage of the resources. I look forward to the government being able to establish a long-lasting model for air pollution control for the construction industry in the future.

碩士
國立臺北大學
自然資源與環境管理研究所在職專班
99
Air, one of the key elements of the ecosystems, is crucial to human health. The air quality has deteriorated due to the rapid economic development and population growth in Taiwan. Thus, the air quality control has become one of the major environmental policies of Environmental Protection Administrator (EPA). The air pollution control strategy in the early stage was focused on administrative control measures, such as the setup of emission standards for a variety of fixed and mobile sources of air pollution and the control on pollution behavior. However, following the continuous economic development which accompanied with the increasing of air pollution sources, the administrative control measures alone are not sufficient to inhibit the deterioration of air quality or to meet the expectations of air quality improvement from the general public. Therefore, it has become an advanced air pollution control strategy to introduce on the basis of the existing control measures some more flexible and proactive control measures with economic incentives, such as the levy of air pollution fees and setting total emission cap on air pollutants, etc. Among the many air pollutants, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are known to cause not only ozone problems through photochemical reactions but also potential hazard to human health. Thus, VOCs has become one of the main pollutants to be levied air pollution fee. This research focus on the study of the policy and effectiveness of levying air pollution fee on VOCs emitted by the printing industry. The results of the cost-effectiveness analysis on VOCs mitigation will provide valuable information to the environmental authority as well as the printing industry on formulating the related policies and strategies.

M.Sc. (Environmental Management)
With the rapid expansion of the industries in South Africa, environmental problems including air pollution have been increasing. Among industries that cause air pollution is the iron and steel industry. Air pollution impacts negatively on the environment and therefore the measures implemented to improve air quality by this industry were investigated. The purpose of this thesis was to critically analyse the air pollution control measures implemented by the iron and steel industry in South Africa and to find out what they are doing to address the problem of air pollution, as well as their processes in involving and encouraging community involvement with regard to environmental issues. The key findings from this study were that the South African iron and steel companies are doing their best in trying to control the problem of air pollution. Some of them do not only rely on the South African legislation, they also do self-regulation by monitoring and controlling the air pollution problems even if not strictly required to by legislation. The iron and steel industry does also involve communities, through participation in public environmental forums. Air pollution has always been an issue in South Africa, but due to a lack of enabling legislation in the country, many people were not aware of their environmental rights. Now that the South African Constitution highlights the rights of people to an environment that is not harmful to their health or wellbeing, people are becoming more aware and have started taking the issue of air pollution in a very serious light. With the new environmental legislation including the National Environmental Management Act 108 of 1009 and the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Bill (Draft 1, April 2003), most of the issues relating to air pollution will be dealt with in a better and more enforceable way.

碩士
國立中興大學
環境工程學系所
107
Improve domestic air quality to reduce air pollutant emissions in public and private places, the Environmental Protection Administration of Taiwan has Announcement Correction to the fixed pollution source air pollution fee charging rate,imposing granular pollutants air pollution fees for fixed pollution sources other than construction projects. Particle pollutants Air Pollution Fee are affected by industry processes, pollution source, connection point, emission factor and control equipment. In this study, analysis of pollution discharge, Air Pollution Fee, control equipment cost and control efficiency of gravel processing industry in Nantou County, evaluate control equipment costs and Air Pollution Control Fee reduction benefits, as a reference for the selection of related industry defense equipment and academic research. The results of this study, the main source of pollution for earth and stone processing industry is stacking area, approximately 98% of total emissions, in terms of control measures, the cost-benefit best is sprinkling measures, construction cost 14.47 TWD/m3, Maintenance and operating costs 0.8 TWD/ m3, in each quarter Air Pollution Control Fee can be deducted by101.93 TWD/m3, based on the assessment, it takes 12.6 days to even the cost and the imposed air pollution fee. Regarding the cost for reducing per unit pollutants using sprinkling measures, windshield and closed building the cost benefit increases with the operating time, however the operating cost of using spray chemical stabilizer and dust screen coverage measuredust is much more than the imposed air pollution fee, under normal circumstances, the cost and the air pollution fee cannot be evened. Also discovered during the research, at present the air pollution fee system gravel processing industry dust screen is too low, control equipment does not affect emissions, losing economic incentives. Operating conditions for particulate pollutant Control Equipment are not subject to laws and regulations. Therefore, an explicit regulation should be legislated in the future in order to maintain control efficiency.