Air Pollution Control Analysis and Sizing
6 weeks · 0 milestones
Select and size an air pollution control technology for a defined emission source and pollutant, documenting the analysis from source characterisation to technology recommendation. The analysis must include: a source characterisation (pollutant species, flowrate, concentration, temperature, and relevant physical properties), a screening of at least 3 control technologies (with documented performance data — collection efficiency, operating temperature range, pressure drop) against the source characteristics and applicable emission limit (regulatory limit from a named standard), a sizing calculation for the selected technology (device dimensions or operating parameters with documented methodology), a performance prediction showing the expected outlet concentration versus the emission limit, and a capital and operating cost comparison (order of magnitude, from published EPA cost data or equivalent). Preferred proof: analysis for a real emission source. Accessible alternative: EPA AP-42 (free, online compilation of emission factors and control technology performance data), EPA Air Pollution Control Cost Manual (free, online) applied to a publicly documented industrial source — no measurement equipment required, analysis uses published data. Proof artifacts: the source characterisation and technology comparison (analysis artifact) and the sizing calculation and performance prediction (documentation artifact). Verification: an environmental engineer reviews the performance prediction — 'your calculated control efficiency is X%; what would the outlet concentration be during a process upset when flow increases by 20%?' — requiring specific reasoning from your own sizing.
Milestone map
Milestone map
3 milestones
Identify a real or published air pollution control scenario (industrial stack emissions, vehicle exhaust, indoor air quality, or fugitive dust) and characterise the pollutant source: pollutant type (particulate, gaseous, or both), concentration range, flow rate, and regulatory limit applicable in your jurisdiction (e.g. UK Clean Air Act limits, EU Industrial Emissions Directive, US EPA NAAQS). Using this characterisation, evaluate at least two candidate control technologies (e.g. electrostatic precipitator, fabric filter, scrubber, catalytic converter, biofilter) against the removal efficiency required, capital cost order-of-magnitude, and operating conditions. Justify your technology selection with quantitative reasoning. If direct measurement is unavailable, use published emission factors or EPA AP-42 emission data.
Proof required
Submit a source characterisation and technology selection report (600–800 words) with: pollutant source description and characterisation data (citing source — measured or AP-42); applicable regulatory limit; comparative evaluation of two control technologies against efficiency, cost, and operating conditions; and your justified technology selection decision.
What gets checked
- Pollutant characterisation is quantitative — concentration (mg/m³ or ppm), flow rate (m³/s or m³/hr), and the specific regulatory limit cited by source document, not generic air quality goals
- Technology comparison uses numerical removal efficiency requirements — 'scrubber B achieves 95% removal vs. 88% required' not 'it works well'
- Technology selection justification addresses at least two technical criteria beyond cost alone — efficiency, energy consumption, maintenance burden, or operating temperature are all valid criteria