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Monitoring, Control and Limiting the Emission of Air Pollutants into the Atmosphere

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Air, Climate Change and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 December 2022) | Viewed by 16461

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Jacek Gębicki

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Guest Editor

Department of Process Engineering and Chemical Technology, Chemical Faculty, Gdańsk University of Technology, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland
Interests: monitoring of air pollution; biogas purification; air pollution control systems; biofiltration; ionic liquids; low-cost air pollution monitoring systems; green deodorization methods
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Izabela Sówka

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Guest Editor

Department of Environment Protection Engineering, Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, 27 Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego st., 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
Interests: methods standardization; odor emission regulation; air quality monitoring; dynamic olfactometry; odor mapping; odor modeling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Robert Cichowicz

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Environmental Engineering and Building Installations, Lodz University of Technology, Al. Politechniki 6, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
Interests: air protection; air quality monitoring; indoor and outdoor air quality; analysis of pollutants

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Scientific research conducted in the world irrefutably indicates that changes taking place in the environment become irreversible. According to the information provided, including by the World Health Organization (WHO), pollutants emitted to the air and the state of air quality in urban areas both reduce the quality of life in cities and directly affect human health—causing changes with various effects in the human body. For this reason, for example, the implementation of the goal of minimizing the emission of air pollutants into the atmosphere should be considered as a very important element related to the reduction of environmental degradation, which fits in with the sustainable development goals defined as: good health and quality of life (goal 3), sustainable cities and communities (goal 11) and climate action (goal 13). In order to assess the effectiveness of the implemented solutions related to the reduction of emissions to air, it is necessary to develop the necessary, highly efficient, green and zero-emission technologies enabling, inter alia, reduction, and in connection with the assumed ambitious goals, ultimately the total reduction of air pollutant emissions, their control and monitoring. Therefore, we invite you to publish works that include:

low and zero emission technologies in air protection;
modern methods of air pollution monitoring;
modern tools in the control and assessment of air pollutant emissions;
low-cost air pollution monitoring systems;
air pollution control systems;
air quality management;
modeling and evaluation of air pollution.

These topics are only examples. Other emerging topics in this field of science are also welcome.

In accordance with the above context, we invite you to submit original research or review papers.

Prof. Dr. Jacek Gębicki
Prof. Dr. Izabela Sówka
Prof. Dr. Robert Cichowicz
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

air pollution
emission
gas purification
air pollution measurements
legal instruments in air protection
air quality management

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 1277 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Determination of Air Pollutants: Application of a Low-Cost Method for Preparation of VOC Mixtures at Known Concentration

by Lorenzo Sartore, Elisa Polvara, Marzio Invernizzi and Selena Sironi

Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9149; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14159149 - 26 Jul 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1545

Abstract

Gas chromatography (GC) is an excellent tool to obtain qualitative and quantitative information on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in gaseous samples. However, to carry out an appropriate quantitative analysis of unknown samples, the use of known concentration gas mixtures, to exploit as standards, is required. Commonly, these mixtures are obtained from cylinders of compressed gas at known concentrations: this involves a considerable economic outlay and problems relating to their handling. This paper aims to apply a method, proposed as a versatile, simple, and economical alternative to the use of such cylinders, for preparing gaseous calibration standards useful to obtain calibration curves for quantification of air pollutants. In addition, the operative limits of this method were investigated. The method involves the continuous injection of volatile compounds in liquid form into a stream of neutral gas, such as air or nitrogen. Exploiting the high volatility of the compounds used, it is possible to generate a continuous gas stream containing the chosen VOC at the desired concentration based on the mass balance of the system. This method proved to be suitable for compounds with volatility ranging from 36 kPa to 0.1 kPa at 293 K and it showed relative bias and relative standard deviation (RSD) values of less than 16% and 8%, respectively. The described dynamic method results are repeatable and accurate. It can be used effectively for compounds with vapour pressure values within the stated limits and provides a more versatile and cost-effective alternative to compressed gas cylinders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring, Control and Limiting the Emission of Air Pollutants into the Atmosphere)

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16 pages, 12583 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Environmental Benefits and Energy Savings from Gas Radiant Heaters’ Flue-Gas Heat Recovery

by Edyta Dudkiewicz, Natalia Fidorów-Kaprawy and Paweł Szałański

Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8013; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14138013 - 30 Jun 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1409

Abstract

This paper demonstrates the need and potential for using waste heat recovery (WHR) systems from infrared gas radiant heaters, which are typical heat sources in large halls, due to the increasing energy-saving requirements for buildings in the EU and the powerful and wide-spread development of the e-commerce market. The types of gas radiant heaters are discussed and the classification of WHR systems from these devices is performed. The article also presents for the first time our innovative solution, not yet available on the market, for the recovery of heat from the exhaust gases of ceramic infrared heaters. The energy analysis for an industrial hall shows that this solution allows for environmental benefits at different levels, depending on the gas infrared heater efficiency, by reducing the amount of fuel and emissions for domestic hot water (DHW) preparation (36.8%, 15.4% and 5.4%, respectively, in the case of low-, standard- and high-efficiency infrared heaters). These reductions, considering both DHW preparation and hall heating, are 16.1%, 7.6% and 3.0%, respectively. The key conclusion is that the innovative solution can spectacularly improve the environmental effect and achieve the highest level of fuel savings in existing buildings that are heated with radiant heaters with the lowest radiant efficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring, Control and Limiting the Emission of Air Pollutants into the Atmosphere)

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11 pages, 2984 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Study on the Operating Parameters of a Pulse-Jet Filter Bag Cleaning System

by Eunae Kim, Youngchul Byun, Hyun-Su Bak and Dong-Jun Koh

Sustainability 2022, 14(12), 7276; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14127276 - 14 Jun 2022

Viewed by 1845

Abstract

In this study, the effects of various parameters of the filter bag cleaning system, such as the blow tube size (20A, 40A, 50A), the nozzle diameter (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 mm), the initial tank pressure (0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7 MPa), and the pulse duration (50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 ms), were evaluated with a view of peak pressure and pressure impulse. This study shows that the peak pressure and pressure impulse are not always in a proportional relationship, since pressure impulse aggregates static pressure and pressure over elapsed time together. For the system investigated, it is found that increasing the blow tube size and pulse duration induce a larger pressure impulse with little change in peak pressure, while higher initial tank pressure enhances both peak pressure and pressure impulse. On the other hand, a larger nozzle diameter was found to increase peak pressure rather than pressure impulse throughout the bag. The experimental results suggest that a higher initial tank pressure is a convenient way to elevate the overall dust-cleaning performance of pulse-jet systems, while other parameters (blow tube size, nozzle diameter, initial tank pressure) can be adopted according to the desired effect for given environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring, Control and Limiting the Emission of Air Pollutants into the Atmosphere)

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12 pages, 3609 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Catalytic Systems in the Reduction of Nitrogen Oxide Emissions in Diesel-Powered Trucks

by Jessimon Ferreira, Dana I. Andrade, Maria E. K. Fuziki, Lariana N. B. de Almeida, Leda M. S. Colpini, Giane G. Lenzi and Angelo M. Tusset

Sustainability 2022, 14(11), 6662; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14116662 - 30 May 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1715

Abstract

In recent years, the number of motor vehicles in circulation has increased in proportion to Brazil’s economic growth, resulting in an increase in emissions of toxic gases from combustion, such as nitrogen oxide, particulate matter, carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds, among other polluting compounds. This type of pollution has its impacts potentiated in large cities, accumulating due to the configuration of streets and buildings in large urban centers, and can even penetrate indoor environments, having harmful effects on the health of residents. To minimize the emission of these gases, catalytic converters can be used in the vehicle exhausts. Catalytic converters are a promising technology used to reduce exhaust emissions from the engine. In this context, this paper presents an overview of the emission of toxic gases by heavy transport powered by diesel oil and the influence of the use of automotive catalysts in reducing the emission of toxic gases. Additionally, a proposal for monitoring the useful life of automotive catalysts is presented through an electronic sensing system, which makes it possible to determine the catalyst efficiency and the appropriate point for its reactivation or replacement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring, Control and Limiting the Emission of Air Pollutants into the Atmosphere)

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22 pages, 14403 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Impact of Pandemic COVID-19 on Air Quality at a Combustion Plant and Adjacent Areas

by Robert Cichowicz and Jacek Wiśniewski

Sustainability 2022, 14(5), 2594; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14052594 - 23 Feb 2022

Viewed by 1492

Abstract

Following the emergence of the infectious disease COVID-19, caused by the coronavirus SARS-Cov-2, the WHO (World Health Organization) declared a pandemic in March 2020. The pandemic has affected people’s health, social behaviour, and the economy around the world. It has also had an indirect impact on the environment, including atmospheric air quality, related to changes in the levels of pollutant emissions and the amounts of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. The observed changes have, in part, been a consequence of restrictions on human movement, which has translated into an increase in water consumption, and consequently into an increase in the volume of wastewater. As a result, a new type of incoming load has appeared in sewage treatment plants. Municipal sewage sludge (MSS) is a waste product from the wastewater treatment process, containing substances that are hazardous to both the environment and humans (bacteria, pathogens, viruses). To dispose of these contaminants, MSS is thermally processed in specially designed installations. Thermal recycling technology is based on a fluidized bed, in which MSS is rapidly transformed at a temperature of at least 750 °C. Organic compounds are oxidized, gasified, and combusted. The exhaust fumes are emitted into the atmosphere. They also carry a load of pollutants, which can affect the air quality both on site and in the surroundings of the treatment plant. This paper presents measurements of air pollutant emissions and pollutant concentrations provided by the Group Sewage Treatment Plant in Łódź Itd. Łódź is a city located in Poland, in central Eastern Europe. The research covers the area of the wastewater treatment plant and its immediate surroundings within a radius of about 1.5 km. The data show the influence of the pandemic restrictions on the concentrations of gaseous substances, bacteria, fungi, and particulate matter on the state of air quality. Increased emissions of NOx (by 86%), PM10 (by 50%), HCl (by 37%), and SO2 (by 16%) were observed compared to the pre-COVID-19 period. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring, Control and Limiting the Emission of Air Pollutants into the Atmosphere)

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Review

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31 pages, 1065 KiB

Open AccessReview

Drone-Assisted Monitoring of Atmospheric Pollution—A Comprehensive Review

by Justyna Jońca, Marcin Pawnuk, Yaroslav Bezyk, Adalbert Arsen and Izabela Sówka

Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11516; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su141811516 - 14 Sep 2022

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 5496

Abstract

Ambient air quality is a complex issue that depends on multiple interacting factors related to emissions coming from energy production and use, transportation, industrial processes, agriculture, and waste and wastewater treatment sectors. It is also impacted by adverse meteorological conditions, pollutants concentrations, their transport and dispersion in the atmosphere, and topographic constraints. Therefore, air pollutants distribution is not uniform and their monitoring at proper temporal and spatial resolution is necessary. Drone-borne analytical instrumentation can fulfill these requirements. Thanks to the rapid development in the drone manufacturing sector as well as in the field of portable detectors construction, applications of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for atmospheric pollution monitoring are growing. The purpose of this work is to give an overview of this matter. Therefore, this paper contains basic information on UAVs (i.e., description of different types of drones with their advantages and disadvantages) and analytical instrumentation (i.e., low-cost gas sensors, multi-sensor systems, electronic noses, high-accuracy optical analyzers, optical particle counters, radiation detectors) used for the monitoring of airborne pollution. Different ways of payload integration are addressed and examples of commercially available solutions are given. Examples of applications of drone-borne analytical systems for pollution monitoring coming from natural (i.e., volcanoes, thawing permafrost, wildfires) and anthropological (i.e., urbanization and industrialization; extraction, transport and storage of fossil fuels; exploitation of radioactive materials; waste and wastewater treatment; agriculture) sources are also described. Finally, the current limitations and future perspectives are discussed. Although there is a great potential for drones applications in the field of atmospheric pollution monitoring, several limitations should be addressed in the coming years. Future research should focus on improving performances of available analytical instrumentation and solving problems related to insufficient payload capacity and limited flight time of commonly used drones. We predict that applications of drone-assisted measurements will grow in the following years, especially in the field of odor pollution monitoring. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring, Control and Limiting the Emission of Air Pollutants into the Atmosphere)

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16 pages, 1962 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Application of In Situ Methods to Monitor VOC Concentrations in Urban Areas—A Bibliometric Analysis and Measuring Solution Review

by Marta Wiśniewska and Mirosław Szyłak-Szydłowski

Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8815; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14148815 - 19 Jul 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1453

Abstract

Urbanisation development affects urban vegetation both directly and indirectly. Since this process usually involves a dramatic change in land use, it is seen as likely to cause ecological pressure on local ecosystems. All forms of human activity, including urbanisation of areas close to residential buildings, significantly impact air quality. This study aims to identify and characterise different measurement solutions of VOCs, allowing the quantification of total and selective compounds in a direct at source (in situ) manner. Portable devices for direct testing can generally be divided into detectors, chromatographs, and electronic noses. They differ in parameters such as operating principle, sensitivity, measurement range, response time, and selectivity. Direct research allows us to obtain measurement results in a short time, which is essential from the point of view of immediate reaction in the case of high concentrations of tested compounds and the possibility of ensuring the well-being of people. The paper also attempts to compare solutions and devices available on the market and assess their application. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring, Control and Limiting the Emission of Air Pollutants into the Atmosphere)

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