Essay About Atmospheric Particles And Coal Combustion

Pollution
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Pollution
The first thing people see, in the morning, when they walk outside is the
sky and the colored sun. Is this world giving us the privilege of seeing the natural
colors of the earth and sun through all the layers of pollution within the air? Not
only are beautiful sights such as this hidden behind the pollution this world
causes everyday, but an increase in diseases, infections and death occurs.
What causes pollution? What can we do to prevent it, and get rid of it?
Air pollution is the presence in the atmosphere of harmful gases, liquids,
or solids. Air pollution, known as smoke pollution for many years, resulted from
coal combustion. Smog has been a problem in coal-burning areas for several
centuries. Smog finally decreased when coal combustion was replaced by oil
and gas combustion. Air pollution is caused by a number of different types of
pollutants.
The first type, particulate matter, consists of solid and liquid aerosols
suspended in the atmosphere. These arise from the burning of coal and from
industrial processes. Atmospheric particles can scatter and absorb sunlight
which reduces visibility. Particles also reduce visibility by attenuating the light
from objects and illuminating the air causing the contrast between the objects
and their backgrounds to reduce. Not only does it effect visibility, but it hastens
the erosion of building materials and the corrosion of metals, interferes with the
human respiratory system, and brings toxic materials into the body. The small
particles cause chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, emphysema and lung
cancer. The second type is sulfur oxides which come from the burning of coal
and industrial processes. Damage to materials, to vegetation, and to the human
respiratory system are caused by the acid nature of oxides. Small quantities of
sulfur oxides can increase illness and mortality.
The third type of pollutant is carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a
colorless, odorless, tasteless gas against which humans have no protection.
Carbon monoxide comes from the exhaust of gasoline-powered vehicles and
secondarily from industrial processes. Hemoglobin, which is in the blood,
combines with carbon monoxide and carries less oxygen to body tissues causing
health and heart effects. Some health problems come from the exhaust fumes
leaking into the interior of the automobile.
The fourth type is hydrocarbons which are chemical compounds
containing only carbon and hydrogen. Hydrocarbons also arise from
gasoline-powered vehicles and from industrial processes. Hydrocarbons are an
important part of the production of photochemical smog.
The last type is nitrogen oxides that come from high-temperature
combustion, such as that occurring in motor vehicle engines, electric power
plants and other fuel usage. Nitrogen oxide contributes to acidity in precipitation
and production of photochemical smog. Nitrogen oxide is also dangerous
it causes serious illness and deaths even if the exposure to NO2 is short.
As one can surely see these types of air pollutants are harmful to our
atmosphere, environment and personal health. Factory owners can help prevent
all of these effects. Researchers have found different ways to remove these
pollutants from the air. One device designed to remove hydrocarbons from the
atmosphere “is an improved low pollution invisible flare burner which comprises
a tall stack lined with ceramic. Primary air is introduced under pressure in a tube
below and coaxial with the stack. The top of the tube contains a burner for the
vented hydrocarbon gases”. Within this device different air mixtures provide
means for complete combustion of the vented gases with low emission of smoke
and light. Another method wherein gases contaminate with vapors from volatile
organic liquids are recovered by containing the vapor- containing gas in an
absorbed tower with a sponge oil which absorbs the vapors. Both methods can
successfully remove hydrocarbon.
A method has been discovered for removing nitrogen oxides from gases.
An ionizing radiation allows the noxious gas pollutants to enable a collection of
the particles or mist electrostatic precipitators. Another air pollutant which is able
to be reduced is carbon monoxide. Factories simply have to change their coal or
oil combustions to natural gas combustion. Afterburners can cause the
combustion of CO. This combustion is a source of heat as in blast furnaces.
Water Pollution is the contamination of streams, lakes, underground
water, bays, or oceans by substances