Air
pollution occurs when the air contains gases, dust, fumes or odour in harmful
amounts. That is, amounts which could be harmful to the health or comfort of
humans and animals or which could cause damage to plants and materials. The
substances that cause air pollution are called pollutants. Pollutants that are
pumped into our atmosphere and directly pollute the air are called primary
pollutants. Primary pollutant examples include carbon monoxide from car
exhausts and sulfur dioxide from the combustion of coal. Concerns
about global air pollution levels are increasing, and for business owners
feeling the pressure, the growing area of air pollution control can be pretty
cloudy itself.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
One
of the major causes of both indoor and outdoor air pollution is Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). VOCs are found within a wide range of consumer products,
including solvent-based paints, printing inks and petrol products. Due to the
proven contribution of VOCs to air pollution (and ultimately smog) VOC control
regulations are enforced around the world to protect the environment against
them.
Activated Carbon
Activated Carbon is
a popular air pollution control method. One of the most common forms of carbon
treatment in air pollution control is carbon adsorption. This method sees the
use of dry chemical scrubbing media such as carbon filters for the adsorption
of fumes from the air.
Biofilters: Clearing the Air
Biofiltration is a method of air pollution control in which process
pollutants are biologically degraded using microorganisms. The most common air
pollution control application of bio filters is the microbiotic oxidation of
contaminants in the air. Bio filters use living materials to degrade pollutants
when immobilized in the biofilm. Applications of this method include treatment
of the off-gas from wastewater treatment plants, after painting and during the
manufacture of food products.
Although capable of treating large airflows, one of the disadvantages of biofilters is the requirement of a large amount of physical space. In recent years efforts have been made to reduce the amount of space needed, meaning that footprint reductions have been seen.
Various systems are used to ensure that sufficient moisture levels are maintained throughout the system. Air is humidified before entry to the bed using humidification chambers, bio scrubbers and water spray systems. Bio filters are cost-effective and straightforward options for pollutants capable of biodegrading reasonably easily. The absence of further pollution from bio filters is another positive associated with this method of air pollution control.
Driving Towards Cleaner Emissions
Car engine emissions are recognized as one of
the leading causes of air pollution. Catalytic Oxidizers are placed in the exhaust system of cars
to reduce emissions from the exhaust pipe. The ideal byproducts of a car’s engine
are carbon dioxide, some water and nitrogen. However in reality engines
continue to release unburned hydrocarbons which damage the environment.
Catalytic oxidizers now oxidize many of the unburnt hydrocarbons from an
engine, leading to cleaner emissions from cars. Dust Collection
