FRQ UNIT 7 Basics

What are some main pollutants?

• PM

• VOCs

• NOx

• SOx

• COx

Sources of Main Pollutants

1. PM (Particulate Matter):

   • Soot and smoke from burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas)

   • Dust from construction sites and unpaved roads

   • Combustion from vehicles

2. VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds):

   • Emissions from vehicle exhaust

   • Industrial processes (e.g., paint, corrosion prevention)

   • Household products (cleaners, paints, and solvents)

3. NOx (Nitrogen Oxides):

   • Combustion processes in vehicles and power plants

   • Industrial sources

   • Natural sources (lightning, wildfires)

4. SOx (Sulfur Oxides):

   • Combustion of fossil fuels (especially coal) in power plants

   • Refining of oil

   • Natural sources (volcanoes, oceanic sources)

5. COx (Carbon Oxides):

   • Incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels (e.g., gas, coal)

   • Vehicle emissions

   • Natural sources (wildfires, volcanic activity)

Methods to Reduce Air Pollutants

1. Electrostatic Precipitators:

   • Devices used in industrial processes to remove particulate matter (PM) from exhaust gases by using electrical charges.

2. Catalytic Converters:

   • Installed in vehicles to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrocarbons by chemically converting them into less harmful substances before they are emitted.

3. Scrubbers:

   • Systems that use liquid to remove pollutants from industrial gases, particularly effective for sulfur oxides (SOx).

4. Cleaner Production Technologies:

   • Implementing processes that avoid or reduce the creation of pollutants at the source, particularly in manufacturing industries.

5. Promoting Electric Vehicles:

   • Reducing reliance on fossil fuel-powered vehicles decreases emissions of various pollutants (NOx, COx).

6. Improving Fuel Quality:

   • Using cleaner burning fuels, such as low-sulfur fuel, can significantly reduce SOx emissions and particulate matter.

7. Enhancing Public Transport:

   • Encouraging public transportation usage decreases the overall number of vehicles on the road, thus reducing vehicle emissions.

8. Tree Planting and Green Spaces:

   • Increasing vegetation can help absorb pollutants and improve air quality.