AIR POLLUTION AND TREATMENT
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Delivery method
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
No specific prerequisites are required.
Learning is verified through a single final exam, which is in oral form. The exam aims to evaluate the level of understanding, knowledge and application skills achieved in relation to the phenomena of dispersion of pollutants in the atmosphere, the impact of meteorology, the use of punctual dispersion models, the knowledge of the historical accidents studied, and to the sizing of air treatment equipment. In order to access the oral exam, the student should prepare a project work, agreed with the teacher, which will evaluate the analytical and application skills learned.
During the final exam, the student will present his project work through an oral presentation. Questions will follow on generic and specific topics regarding all subjects studied during the course.
The final score is composed as it follows:
Project work: 8/30
Questions: 25/30
The score accounts for the quality of the answer, exposition, and specific language use.
EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
The aim of the course is to provide students with a detailed knowledge of the basic phenomenology of pollutant dispersions into the atmosphere, of the structure of a steady-state dispersion model and of the devices for the abatement of concentrations of pollutants in air currents discharged into the environment. It is also the objective of the course to learn the importance of studying past accidents, with particular reference to catastrophic events associated with dispersions of toxic pollutants.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
The student should:
a) Know the fundamentals of meteorology and the basic phenomenology associated with the dispersions of pollutants in the atmosphere;
b) Know and use mathematical models (Gaussian and point-source) aimed to give a rough estimate (in terms of concentrations at the generic receptor) of the magnitude of an atmospheric release;
c) Be capable of describing and analyzing an industrial accident, with particular interest in atmospheric dispersions;
d) Know how to design and verify the main equipment suitable for the treatment of various heterogeneous types of polluted air which will then be emitted into the atmosphere.
Module 1: Modeling of the dispersion of pollutants in the atmosphere
Duration: 16 hours - Lectures
Introduction to the concept of dispersion of pollutants in the atmosphere; the structure of the ARPA/APPA network to measure airborne pollutants in Italy; threshold limits described by D.Lgs 155/2010; phenomenology of the dispersion of a gas in the atmosphere; atmospheric stability and the Pasquill classes; steady-state Gaussian models for continuous and instantaneous emissions; estimation of inertial and gravitational effects.
Module 2: Reconstruction of accidental events and simulations
Duration: 8 hours - Lectures
Reconstruction and simulation of accidents: the cases of Seveso and Bhopal.
Module 3: Illustration of the operating principle of industrial equipment for air purification
Duration: 12 hours - Lectures
Equipment for the treatment of polluted air.
Study of the dynamics of polluting particles in air and fluids. Derivation of the settling velocity of microscopic particles. Introduction to air purification systems and gaseous streams circulating in a process plant. Study of the following abatement systems: settling chambers, cyclones, electrostatic precipitators, bag filters.
Module 4: Evaluation of dispersions with simple models and problems of sizing and verification of air treatment equipment (practical examples will be solved with the aid of the teacher)
Duration: 12 hours - Lectures
Practical examples involving the application of the numerical methods proposed for airborne pollutants dispersion. Verification of compliance of concentration thresholds imposed by Legislative Decree 155/2010. Verification and sizing of polluted air treatment devices, with particular attention to the relationship between particle size and separation efficiency (for heterogeneous mixtures).
The course makes use of multiple methods, with the aim of promoting student participation. We will make use of:
-Classic lectures
-Practical exercises carried out together with the teacher
The teacher receives on appointment. It is possible to book an appointment by sending an email to: sabrina.copelli@uninsubria.it, marco.barozzi@uninsubria.it