Module 5

Air Pollution Control

Control of Gaseous Pollutants: Adsorption, Absorption, Condensation
Control of Gaseous Pollutants involves various methods to capture and remove gaseous pollutants from emissions
before they are released into the atmosphere. Common methods include adsorption, absorption, and condensation,
each having distinct mechanisms and applications based on the nature of the pollutants and the operational requirements.
1. Adsorption
Adsorption is a process in which gaseous pollutants adhere to the surface of a solid material (adsorbent). This is
primarily a physical process, though in some cases, chemical adsorption (chemisorption) may occur. Adsorption is
widely used to control volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other gaseous pollutants.
• Mechanism: Pollutants are attracted to and held on the surface of an adsorbent material by intermolecular
forces. Activated carbon is commonly used due to its large surface area and high adsorption capacity.
• Adsorbents: Activated carbon, silica gel, alumina, and zeolites are common adsorbents. The choice of adsorbent
depends on the specific pollutant and operational needs.
• Applications:
o Effective for capturing VOCs in industries such as painting, printing, and chemical manufacturing.
o Used in gas masks and air purifiers to trap toxic gases.
o In refineries, adsorption helps control emissions of hydrocarbons and other organic pollutants.
• Regeneration: Adsorbents can often be regenerated through methods like heating, steaming, or pressure
changes to desorb the captured pollutants, making the process more cost-effective.
2. Absorption
Absorption involves dissolving gaseous pollutants into a liquid (typically water or a chemical solution), which captures
and neutralizes them. This method is often used to control gases that are soluble in liquid.
• Mechanism: When polluted gas comes into contact with the absorbing liquid, pollutants dissolve into the liquid
due to solubility and chemical reactions. Absorption is usually carried out in scrubbers where the gas and liquid
are brought into close contact.
• Types of Absorption:
o Physical Absorption: Gases dissolve in the liquid without a chemical reaction. This is common for
gases like ammonia (NH₃).
o Chemical Absorption: Pollutants chemically react with the absorbing liquid, making the process more
efficient for gases like sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and hydrogen chloride (HCl).
• Absorbents:
o Water is commonly used for dust and water-soluble gases like NH₃ and SO₂.
o Solutions like caustic soda (NaOH) and lime (Ca(OH)₂) are used to capture acidic gases.
• Applications:
o Used in industries such as power plants and refineries to remove sulfur dioxide (SO₂), hydrogen sulfide
(H₂S), and other acid gases.
o Applied in sewage treatment plants to control odor emissions.
o Used in ammonia scrubbing in fertilizer and chemical manufacturing.
 • Regeneration: Absorbing liquids can sometimes be regenerated. For example, CO₂ captured in an amine
solution can be released by heating, regenerating the absorbent for reuse.
3. Condensation
Condensation is a process where gaseous pollutants are cooled and converted into liquid form for removal. It is effective
for controlling vapors of high-boiling-point compounds and can be used to capture and recover valuable solvents.
• Mechanism: By cooling the gas stream below the dew point of the pollutants, the gaseous pollutants condense
into liquid droplets. The droplets are then collected and removed from the gas stream.
• Types of Condensers:
o Direct Contact Condensers: Polluted gas directly contacts a cold surface or liquid, causing the
pollutants to condense.
o Surface Condensers: Polluted gas flows over a cooled surface, condensing the pollutants while
preventing contamination of the coolant.
• Applications:
o Commonly used in industries where recovery of valuable solvents, like acetone and benzene, is feasible.
o Utilized in petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries to control emissions of organic solvents.
o Effective in processes requiring the recovery of high-boiling organic vapors.
• Energy Requirements: Condensation is energy-intensive due to the need for cooling systems. However, it is
cost-effective when the condensed pollutants can be recycled or reused.

Control of Particulate Pollutants: Settling chambers, Cyclone separators, Wet

collectors, Fabric filters, Electrostatic precipitators Control of Pollution from
Automobiles
Control of Particulate Pollutants focuses on removing solid or liquid particles suspended in air emissions, primarily
from industrial sources. The techniques used vary in complexity, cost, and efficiency based on particle size and
concentration.
Methods for Controlling Particulate Pollutants
1. Settling Chambers
o Mechanism: Settling chambers are large, simple chambers where particulate-laden air slows down,
allowing heavier particles to settle by gravity.
o Applications: Ideal for removing large, heavy particles in industries like mining and foundries.
o Advantages: Low cost, minimal maintenance.
o Limitations: Ineffective for very fine particles (e.g., <40 µm), which can remain suspended.
2. Cyclone Separators
o Mechanism: Cyclone separators use centrifugal force to spin particulates out of the gas stream. As the
air rotates, particles are pushed to the walls of the separator, where they are collected.
o Applications: Commonly used in woodworking, cement, and grain processing industries.
o Advantages: Cost-effective, low maintenance, works well for medium to large particles.
o Limitations: Less effective for fine particulates (e.g., <10 µm).
3. Wet Collectors (Scrubbers)
 o Mechanism: In wet collectors, the gas stream passes through a liquid spray or a pool of water, which
captures particulates. Droplets containing particles are then collected and separated from the clean gas.
o Applications: Used in industries like chemical manufacturing, power generation, and metal processing.
o Types: Spray towers, venturi scrubbers, and packed bed scrubbers.
o Advantages: Can handle hot, corrosive gases; effective for both particulates and gaseous pollutants.
o Limitations: Generates wastewater, requires water treatment, and may have higher operational costs.
4. Fabric Filters (Baghouses)
o Mechanism: Fabric filters, or baghouses, capture particulates as gas flows through a series of fabric
bags. Particles accumulate on the surface of the bags, and the clean air exits the filter.
o Applications: Widely used in industries like cement, metal processing, and pharmaceuticals.
o Advantages: Highly efficient for removing fine particulates (up to 99.9% efficiency).
o Limitations: Filters require regular maintenance and replacement, especially with high-temperature or
corrosive gases.
5. Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPs)
o Mechanism: ESPs charge particles in the gas stream and use an electric field to drive them toward
collection plates, where they are deposited.
o Applications: Commonly used in power plants, cement kilns, and steel mills.
o Advantages: High efficiency, effective for fine particulates.
o Limitations: High initial costs, requires regular maintenance, and is less effective for particles with low
conductivity.
Control of Pollution from Automobiles

Automobiles emit pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO),
hydrocarbons (HCs), and particulate matter (PM), especially from diesel
engines. Various methods are used to control these emissions:
1. Catalytic Converters
o Mechanism: Catalytic converters use catalysts (platinum, palladium, rhodium) to chemically convert
CO, NOx, and hydrocarbons into less harmful gases, such as nitrogen (N₂), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and
water (H₂O).
o Applications: Standard on gasoline-powered vehicles to reduce harmful tailpipe emissions.
o Types: Three-way catalytic converters (for CO, NOx, and HCs) are the most common.
o Effectiveness: Reduces emissions of CO, NOx, and hydrocarbons by up to 90%.
2. Particulate Filters
o Mechanism: Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs) trap and store soot (PM) from diesel exhaust gases. The
trapped particulates are periodically burned off during regeneration.
o Applications: Used in diesel vehicles to reduce PM emissions.
o Advantages: Highly effective for reducing diesel particulate emissions.
o Limitations: DPFs require periodic maintenance and regeneration to prevent clogging.
3. Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR)
 o Mechanism: EGR systems recirculate a portion of exhaust gases back into the engine intake to lower
combustion temperatures, reducing NOx formation.
o Applications: Common in both gasoline and diesel engines for NOx control.
o Advantages: Reduces NOx emissions effectively.
o Limitations: Excessive EGR can reduce engine performance and efficiency.
4. Evaporative Emission Control Systems (EVAP)
o Mechanism: EVAP systems prevent fuel vapors from escaping into the atmosphere by capturing and
storing them in a charcoal canister, which later releases the vapors into the engine for combustion.
o Applications: Used in all gasoline-powered vehicles to control hydrocarbon emissions.
o Effectiveness: Minimizes fuel vapor emissions, reducing overall hydrocarbon emissions.
5. Alternative Fuels and Electric Vehicles
o Mechanism: Using cleaner fuels (such as compressed natural gas, ethanol, or electricity) reduces or
eliminates tailpipe emissions.
o Applications: Electric vehicles (EVs) emit no tailpipe pollutants, while hybrid and alternative fuel
vehicles produce fewer emissions than conventional gasoline or diesel vehicles.
o Advantages: Significant reduction in CO₂ and pollutant emissions; long-term environmental benefits.
o Limitations: Electric vehicles require charging infrastructure, and battery production has its own
environmental impacts.