Air Pollution and Treatment

Code:

AMB4023

Acronym:

AMB4023

Level:

400

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Environment

Instance: 2024/2025 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Plannings
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Environmental Sciences and Technology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M:CTA	6	Study plan since 2024/2025.	1	-	6	42	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

• Develop a scientific understanding of environmental processes that affect the air quality and how the Air Pollution affects life.


• Provide essential knowledge on air pollution (chemical and biological) and methods for pollution prevention and treatment of air, specifically in terms of: (a) prevention mechanisms (European and national legislation and emission reduction devices), (b ) emission reduction technologies (c) methods of treatment (d) monitoring of air pollutants.


• Deepening the topics taught through analysis of exercises and discussion of current regulations, scientific papers, problems, case studies, planning and practical work and eventual technical visits to companies with large emission rates.

• Regarding the skills, looking to develop, in the student, a current and critical view based on the environmental challenges resulting from human activity and the need to first prevent and then deal with air pollution.

Learning outcomes and competences

The course covers theoretical classes where specialized and actual information will be given, and theoretical-practical and practical classes in which the theoretical knowledge is applied for evaluation and solving of problems related with topics of the syllabus. The proposal of works, for written and oral presentation, to be preferably done in group, will promote autonomous work, the ability to do research and the development of communication skills and knowledge sharing. The technical visit to a reference company in terms certification and reduction of waste gases emissions will allow the understanding and contact with current treatment technologies.

Therefore, the methodology used promotes the acquisition of skills and contributes to the ability of lifelong learning.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

There are no prerequisites.

Program

Chemical Air Pollution

- Fundamental legal framework for the area of Prevention and Treatment of Air, outdoors and indoors. European and National Legislation.

- Air quality management strategies. - Mathematical models for simulating the dispersion of atmospheric pollutants and their application in the prediction of air quality. - Air quality monitoring: measurement networks.

- Atmospheric pollutants (particles and gaseous compounds): emission sources, characteristics, transformation, impacts and effects on human health. Control, guide values and emission limit values.

- Measurement of air pollution: sampling, concentration and time averages, standard analytical methods, emission flows (volumic and mass), isokinetic sampling and emission factors.

- Main methodologies and systems for the purification (treatment) of gaseous effluents: chemical and physical processes.

Chimneys and Pollutant Removal Systems.

Particles and gaseous compounds:

Prevention and control techniques for suspended particles:cyclones, electrostatic precipitators, filters, washers.

Control of volatile organic compounds: adsorption, condensation, combustion, bio filters and bio washers. Control of oxides of sulphur, nitrogen and mobile sources.

 

Practical classes:

- Calculation of concentrations, reference conditions and normalization.

- Methods of measuring gaseous pollutants: Evaluation of measurement results.

  Compliance with legislation.

- Standards and Reference Methods.

- Importance and meaning of an isokinetic sampling.

- Instrument calibration and emissions monitoring.

- Case studies: Preparation of a solvent management plan and chimney dimensioning.

- Participation in updated lecture(s) on the state of the issue of monitoring and emission of pollutants into the air.

- Study visit to a leading company in terms of certification and reduction of gaseous effluent emissions.

Environmental Noise Pollution

- Principles of Environmental Noise

- Environmental Noise and Health

- Legislation

- Transportation, Industrial and Construction Noise

- Noise Mitigation Approaches

Practical classes: Measurement of environmental noise pollution. Noise indexes calculations Construction of a noise map.

 

Biological Air Pollutants

- Definition, types and concentration of biological pollutants.

- Fonts and effects.

- Methods and equipment for sampling and measurement (identification and quantitative analysis).

- Techniques for the prevention, control and mitigation of biological air pollutants.

- Present and future development in technology and strategy for the prevention and control of biological air pollutants.

- Case studies: municipal, commercial, industrial and agricultural emissions.

- Biological monitoring of air pollutants

- Principle of monitoring and mechanisms (symptoms and concentration). Sampling and quantification methods. Case studies: urban, industrial and mining environments.

Practical classes: Sampling and measurement of biological air pollutants: Bacteria, Fungi and Pollen. Analysis of leaves, mosses and lichens for monitoring the concentration of air pollutants.

Environmental Odour Pollution

- Definition and characterization. Odor sources and effects on human health

- Environmental odor impact assessment (FIDOL).

- Methodologies for measuring environmental odor: sensory and instrumental.

- Regulatory framework. - Treatment and mitigation processes.

Practical classes: Technical reports

Mandatory literature

NOEL De NEVERS; AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ENGINEERING, McGraw-Hill, 2000. ISBN: 978-0-07-116207-4
JEREMY COLLS; AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ENGINEERING, Taylor & Francis, 2002. ISBN: 978-0-12-401733-7
DANIEL VALLERO; FUNDAMENTALS OF AIR POLLUTION, Academic Press, 2014. ISBN: 978-0-12-401733-7
ENDA MURPHY, EOIN A. KING; ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE POLLUTION - Noise Mapping, Elsevier, 2014. ISBN: 978-0-12-411595-8

Teaching methods and learning activities

The course is organized in Theoretical, Theoretical-Practical and Laboratory-Practices classes

In theoretical classes, the subject will be presented with the support of multimedia supports. Some theoretical classes will be attended by industry partners.

The Practical classes will be laboratory classes complemented by the consolidation of theoretical matters, encouraging the analysis and discussion of documents (Standards, scientific articles and/or relevant case studies). Study visits will be carried out. Students will be asked to develop and exercise skills in critically assessing the situations presented and developing appropriate solutions.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	40,00
Trabalho escrito	60,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	120,00
Frequência das aulas	42,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Attendance of classes as provided for in the FCUP statutes.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final classification is defined based on a distributed assessment with mini-tests carried out in theoretical-practical classes and/or final exam as follows:

- Presentation of 2 reports/works (RAR) (60%);

- 2 mini-tests during the semester (CT) or final exam (EF) (40%);

The final classification, CF, results from the following calculation formula:

CF = 0.6 x RAR + 0.4 x max {CT; EF}

Students may opt for assessment by mini-test and/or final exam. In the case of evaluation by mini-test, the final classification will be calculated giving equal weight to the two interim evaluations carried out throughout the semester.