22 Maintaining Air Quality

What are the percentages of gases in the air

78% Nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0.96% noble gases and 0.04% carbon dioxide

How are gases obtained from the air

These gases have different boiling points and are separated through the fractional distillation of liquid air. Air is first liquified and put in a fractional distillation set up. The gas with the lowest boiling point will be collected first.

What are the sources of carbon monoxide

Incomplete combustion of carbon containing fuels from vehicles and industrial plants or forest fires.

What are the effects of carbon monoxide

It binds irreversibly to the haemoglobin in our red blood cells, lowering the haemoglobins ability to tranposrt oxygen to the rest of our body. This leads to a loss of consciousness, breathing difficulties, headaches, fatigue and death.

How to reduce carbon monoxide

Catalytic converter to convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. 2CO + O2 → 2CO2

Reduce the use of carbin containing fuels

What is the source of nitrogen oxides

N2 and O2 in the air react at high temperatures to from NO. NO further reacts with O2 to form NO2. Combustion, forest fires, lightning.

What is the source of nitrogen oxides

N2 and O2 in the air react at high temperatures to from NO. NO further reacts with O2 to form NO2. Combustion, forest fires, lightning.

How to reduce nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide ina catalytic converter

2NO + 2CO → 2CO2 + N2