Energy And Environmental Engineering

Submitted by_ Ravi Rishieharan. 106113106. 13/12/2013.

GREEN HOUSE GASES

Definition: The greenhouse effect is a process by which thermal radiation from a planetary surface is absorbed by atmospheric greenhouse gases, and is re-radiated in all directions. Since part of this re-radiation is back towards the surface and the lower atmosphere, it results in an elevation of the average surface temperature above what it would be in the absence of the gases. Causes: The man-made (or anthropogenic) component of the greenhouse effect is caused by mans activities that emit greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. The most important of these is the burning of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels contain carbon, and when they are burnt this carbon combines with oxygen in the atmosphere to form carbon dioxide. We emit carbon dioxide to the atmosphere in enormous quantities because we burn so much fossil fuel and the changes in land use that we have implement are so widespread. This is why carbon dioxide is the most important gas in the man-made component of the greenhouse effect. Impacts: Environmental impacts

Overall average annual temperatures are expected to increase. Global warming will decrease snow, sea ice and glacier coverage, resulting in rising sea levels and increased coastal flooding.

Health impacts

People living in Canadas northern communities, and vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly, are expected to be the most affected by the changes. Increased temperatures and more frequent and severe extreme weather events could lead to increased risks of death from dehydration and heat stroke, and injuries from intense local weather changes.

Economic impacts

Agriculture, forestry, tourism and recreation could be affected by changing weather patterns. Human health impacts are expected to place additional economic stress on health and social support systems.

ACID RAIN
Definition: Acid rain is rain consisting of water droplets that are unusually acidic because of atmospheric pollution - most notably the excessive amounts of sulfur and nitrogen released by cars and industrial processes. Causes: Acid deposition can occur via natural sources like volcanoes but it is mainly caused by the release of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide during fossil fuel combustion. When these gases are discharged into the atmosphere they react with the water, oxygen, and other gases already present there to form sulfuric acid, ammonium nitrate, and nitric acid. These acids then disperse over large areas because of wind patterns and fall back to the ground as acid rain or other forms of precipitation. The gases responsible for acid deposition are normally a byproduct of electric power generation and the burning of coal. Impacts: Environmental Impacts: Acid rain also dissolves helpful minerals and nutrients like calcium, magnesium and potassium before trees can absorb them. Acid rain rarely kills a forest outright but instead stunts its growth through years of soil degradation. Health Impacts: Since acid rain can kill aquatic animals, weaken trees and dissolve stone, it seems like it could also scald or burn humans. It doesn't affect people in the same way as it does fish or plants. Acid rain feels the same as regular rain -- it's even safe to swim in an acidic lake. Economic Impacts: Acid rain has the unsettling ability to erase and obliterate stone and metal, the most durable of materialls. Old buildings, monuments and tombstones bear the smooth signs of acidic corrosion and deterioration.

OZONE LAYER DEPLETION

Definition: The ozone layer is a deep layer in the stratosphere, encircling the Earth, that has large amounts of ozone in it. The layer shields the entire Earth from much of the harmful ultraviolet radiation that comes from the sun. Causes: The cause of ozone depletion is the use of chlorofluorocarbons. The ozone started depleting after chlorofluorocarbons were released into the atmosphere on a regular basis. Chlorofluorocarbons turn into chlorine which is what actually works against the ozone. Impacts: Environmental Impacts:

The effect of ozone depletion on the Canadian agricultural sector could be significant. Only a few commercially important trees have been tested for UV (UV-B) sensitivity, but early results suggest that plant growth, especially in seedlings, is harmed by more intense UV radiation.

Health Impacts:

More skin cancers, sunburns and premature aging of the skin. More cataracts, blindness and other eye diseases: UV radiation can damage several parts of the eye, including the lens, cornea, retina and conjunctiva.

Economic Impacts:

Wood, plastic, rubber, fabrics and many construction materials are degraded by UV radiation. The economic impact of replacing and/or protecting materials could be significant.

IMPACTS OF WATER POLLUTION

Groundwater contamination from pesticides causes reproductive damage within wildlife in ecosystems. Sewage, fertilizer, and agricultural run-off contain organic materials that when discharged into waters, increase the growth of algae, which causes the depletion of oxygen. The low oxygen levels are not able to support most indigenous organisms in the area and therefore upset the natural ecological balance in rivers and lakes. Swimming in and drinking contaminated water causes skin rashes and health problems like cancer, reproductive problems, typhoid fever and stomach sickness in humans. Which is why its very important to make sure that your water is clean and safe to drink. Industrial chemicals and agricultural pesticides that end up in aquatic environments can accumulate in fish that are later eaten by humans. Fish are easily poisoned with metals that are also later consumed by humans. Mercury is particularly poisonous to small children and women. Mercury has been found to interfere with the development of the nervous system in fetuses and young children. Ecosystems are destroyed by the rising temperature in the water, as coral reefs are affected by the bleaching effect due to warmer temperatures. Additionally, the warm water forces indigenous water species to seek cooler water in other areas, causing an ecological damaging shift of the affected area. Human-produced litter of items such as plastic bags and 6-pack rings can get aquatic animals caught and killed from suffocation. Water pollution causes flooding due to the accumulation of solid waste and soil erosion in streams and rivers. Oil spills in the water causes animal to die when they ingest it or encounter it. Oil does not dissolve in water so it causes suffocation in fish and birds.

WAYS OF SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL

A Landfill In a modern landfill, refuse is spread in thin layers, each of which is compacted by a bulldozer before the next is spread. When about 3 m (about 10 ft) of refuse has been laid down, it is covered by a thin layer of clean earth, which also is compacted. Pollution of surface and groundwater is minimized by lining and contouring the fill, compacting and planting the cover, selecting proper soil, diverting upland drainage, and placing wastes in sites not subject to flooding or high groundwater levels. Gases are generated in landfills through anaerobic decomposition of organic solid waste. If a significant amount of methane is present, it may be explosive; proper venting eliminates this problem. B Incinerators In incinerators of conventional design, refuse is burned on moving grates in refractory-lined chambers; combustible gases and the solids they carry are burned in secondary chambers. Combustion is 85 to 90 percent complete for the combustible materials. In addition to heat, the products of incineration include the normal primary products of combustioncarbon dioxide and wateras well as oxides of sulfur and nitrogen and other gaseous pollutants; nongaseous products are fly ash and unburned solid residue. Emissions of fly ash and other particles are often controlled by wet scrubbers, electrostatic precipitators, and bag filters. C Composting Composting operations of solid wastes include preparing refuse and degrading organic matter by aerobic microorganisms. Refuse is presorted, to remove materials that might have salvage value or cannot be composted, and is ground up to improve the efficiency of the decomposition process. The refuse is placed in long piles on the ground or deposited in mechanical systems, where it is degraded biologically to a humus with a total nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content of 1 to 3 percent, depending on the material being composted. After about three weeks, the product is ready for curing, blending with additives, bagging, and marketing. RESOURCE RECOVERY Numerous thermal processes, now in various stages of development, recover energy in one form or another from solid waste. These systems fall into two groups: combustion processes and pyrolysis processes. A number of companies burn in-plant wastes in conventional incinerators to produce steam. A few municipalities produce steam in incinerators in which the walls of the combustion chamber are lined with boiler tubes; the water circulated through the tubes absorbs heat generated in the combustion chamber and produces steam.

RECYCLING The practice of recycling solid waste is an ancient one. Metal implements were melted down and recast in prehistoric times. Today, recyclable materials are recovered from municipal refuse by a number of methods, including shredding, magnetic separation of metals, air classification that separates light and heavy fractions, screening, and washing. Another method of recovery is the wet pulping process. HAZARDOUS WASTES General categories of hazardous wastes include toxic chemicals and flammable, radioactive, or biological substances. These wastes can be in the form of sludge, liquid, or gas, and solid. Radioactive substances are hazardous because prolonged exposure to ionizing radiation often results in damage to living organisms (see Radiation Effects, Biological), and the substances may persist over long periods of time. Management of radioactive and other hazardous wastes is subject to federal and state regulation, but no satisfactory method has yet been demonstrated for disposing permanently of radioactive wastes. .