UNIVERSITI TENAGA NASIONAL

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

MEHB312 - THERMODYNAMICS 2

COMBUSTION ASSIGNMENT

AUTHOR : MALVEN MARK

SID : ME093028

SECTION : 02B

INSTRUCTOR : Mr.Eng Kian Hin

PART A)

COMBUSTION IN TRASNPORTATION

The transportation industry is one of the primary factors in air pollution. This is due to
the ever developing city and population and the drive of society towards self transportation.
Based on statistics provided by researchers in the United States it is found that the transportation
industry produces 40% of all the greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. While
developed countries have taken the initiative to reduce emissions by adopting the hybrid
technology, emission of greenhouse gases in less developed is far severe. The emission of gases
by the transport sector such as lead(Pb), nitrous oxides(NOx), carbon monoxide(CO),
chlorofluorocarbon gaseous(CFC) and sulphur tetrafluoride(SF6). The impact of these gaseous
released by the combustion in the transport sector extensively covers health, safety, society,
culture and environment.

While many argue there is no direct impact of the emission of the products of combustion
towards health. There is a cumulative impact towards the general health and safety of the people.
This is because emission of gaseous such as carbon monoxide have transverse effects to human
health by damaging the respiratory tract and system. This is because carbon monoxide causes
tissues in the lungs to collapse and rupture besides replacing oxygen in red blood cells. In
addition, prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide and dioxide(COx) can even cause death and
coma. Besides that, gaseous such as sulphur tetrafluoride affect human health by causing
irritation and corrosion to human skin. This is due to the formation of acid rain.

In addition, combustion by the transport sector also contributes to negative impacts to the
society and culture. This is because of the emission of sulphur dioxide via exhaust fumes of
automobiles and locomotives. This sulphur dioxide which subsequently produces sulphuric acid
which triggers the formation of acid rain. Acid rain is a major cause in corrosion of metals and
structures. For example, the corrosive nature of the acid causes in the corrosion of paint of
buildings and personal motorcars.

Next, the effects on combustion by transportation also extensively affect the environment.
This is because the emission of gases by exhaust fumes are mainly greenhouse gases. While
many still dispute the effect of this gases towards the atmosphere, there is more than substantial
evidence to prove otherwise. The increasing percentage of concentration of these greenhouse
gases has been directly proportional to the rise in global temperature. This causes severe global
warming.
 COMBUSTION IN UTILITY AND INDUSTRY

The ever increasing need to power our ever developing cities has become a major
concern due to the power production by the coal industry. Combustion in coal utilities are cause
more hazardous effects compared to the transportation sector. This is because the by-products of
combustion in coal industry is far more detrimental due to a particular by-product known as fly
ash. Besides that, greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide(CO2) ,high concentrations of
methane(CH4), nitric oxides, sulphur disulphate into the atmosphere.

The effects of the emission of these by-products of combustion mainly can impact the
natural health and safety of people. The main concern is the release of fly ash into the air and
other fine particulate matters which cause severe problems in the lungs and thoracic cavity of
humans. Furthermore, elderly people and kids residing near coal power plants may develop acute
bronchitis and asthma more easily. Besides that, certain coal wastages are known to produce
radioactive substances that would coat the fly ash. This results in a radioactive cloud in the
atmosphere.

In addition, there are also severe negative impacts towards the society and people. This is
because of the emission of mercury into the air which slowly finds it way in to the water system.
This leads to contaminating of fresh water sources and may lead to severe mercury poisoning as
mercury is a potent neurotoxin. Thus, it has the capability to severely stunt the development of
brain cells. Furthermore, certain industries release nitrate oxides into the atmosphere that
produce nitric acid. This causes soil contamination that may cause destruction of crops.

Thirdly, combustion in coal power plants severely affect the environment. In fact, it
causes both water and air pollution. The release of mercury and sulphur dioxide into water
sources greatly contaminates the fresh water. The release of this two substances have shown
destroy the ecological balance in rivers and lakes. Moreover, combustion in coal industry also
releases black soot also known as smog into the atmosphere which creates a heat blanket. Nitrate
oxides and sulphur dioxide are also known be a primary factor in the production of acid rain.
Moreover, the release of CFC gases by refrigerant industries cause severe damage to the
environment. This is because CFC actually causes the depletion of the ozone layer and in severe
cases cause a hole in the ozone layer.
PART B

IV) The products formed during this combustion process that are harmful towards the
environment:
1. Carbon dioxide,CO2
2. Sulphur dioxide, SO2

V)

No: Substance Problems

1 Carbon dioxide,CO2
2 Sulphur dioxide, SO2
- Carbon dioxide that exist in the
atmosphere is a greenhouse gas
- This is the main factor that creates the
greenhouse effect where heat waves
emitted by the planet are not allowed to
leave the atmosphere and are subsequently
sent back to the heat surface
- This continues greenhouse effects then
lead to severe global warming
- Sulphur dioxide is one the primary causes
of air pollution
- Because sulphur dioxide produces very
fine particulate soot
- Sulphur dioxide is hygroscopic, thus when
released into the atmosphere tends to react
with water molecules in the air to form
sulphuric acid.
- Acid rain
VI)
No: Subject Problems to health Problems to environment
1 Nitrogen - Is a major component is
monoxide, smog
NO - A major cause for
respiratory problems
- Causes rapid and
swelling and burning of
tissues in the throat and
the upper respiratory
tract
2 Nitrogen - Forms nitrous oxide
dioxide, NO2 - Causes permanent
damage to the lungs and
respiratory system
- Short term exposure to
this cause can cause
irritants to the eye, nose
and throat
- Long and concentrated
exposure to nitrogen
dioxide can cause genetic
mutations and damage to
a developing foetus
3 Carbon - Is a dangerous and
monoxide, poisonous gas
CO - Interferes with the
absorption of oxygen by
red blood cells
- Short term exposure can
cause fatigue, memory
loss, and chest pain
- High concentrations of
carbon monoxide can
cause convulsions, coma,
and death due to carbon
poisoning
- Pregnant women who are
exposed to carbon
monoxide can result in
miscarriage
- Forms greenhouse effect
gases by combining with
excess oxygen
- Causes rise in global
temperature
- Forms greenhouse effects
gaseous by reacting the
atmosphere to form nitrous
oxide
- Forms acid rain like
sulphur dioxide
- Acid rain is formed due to
the production of nitric
acid
- Nitric acid is produced by
nitrogen dioxide which
reacts with moisture in the
atmosphere.
- Although carbon monoxide
is a very weak greenhouse
gas, it has a strong indirect
impact on the environment
- This is because the
presence of carbon
monoxide in the
atmosphere greatly
influences the
concentration of other
greenhouse gases
- Reacts with hydroxyl
atoms in the air to produce
carbon dioxide
VII) SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM OF AIR POLLUTANTS

VII) Process flow of the system

The above system has been .adopted to treat and control the air pollutants released to the
atmosphere. This particular system is very much capable of filtering fine particulate elements,
smog, and the release of sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere. The by-products of combustion is
slowly flowed to the ASU to the 1st fabric filter. Most fine particulate elements are mainly
filtEered by this fabric filter. The filtered by-products are recycled into the air tank and is flowed
to the to the flue gas desulfurization system. It begins by flowing the flue gas into the spray dryer
absorber(SDA) to reduce the amount of sulphur before being directed into the 2nd fabric filter
which further filters extensively remaining soot particles. Mercu,ry as well as nitrous
oxides(NOx) is removed by the SDA. In addition to that, the flue gas is then directed into a
polishing sodium based wet scrubber which completely rids of any remaining nitrous
oxides(NOx). Any tiny amounts of remaining particulates are further removed in the CPU as well
as completely removing all traces of sulphur.

PART C: WAYS TO REDUCE THE POLLUTION CAUSED BY

TRANSPORT, UTILITY, AND INDUSTRIES
TRANSPORT
In this modern 21st century, many would consider abolishing self-transportation as an
absurd idea. Mankind would be limp without the mobility and bustling cities would stand still.
While the transport sector is seen as essential, one should not turn a blind eye to the severe
pollution it brings forth. The arrival of new technologies has the capability to revolutionize the
transport sector. For example, electric powered vehicles and hybrid technology is now a reality
instead of a far-fetched dream. While, the issue of cost is certainly a limiting factor to be
considered, the zero emissions and clean power of electric motors is certainly an advantage.
Besides that, catalytic converters that can be attached to the exhaust to filter fine
particulate elements are also readily available in the market. These catalytic converters are
capable of converting harmful by-products of the combustion to less harmful gases. The
environment is the responsibility of each and every living being. Thus, minor steps such as car-
pooling and use of public transport should be adopted by the average joe to dampen the
hazardous effects of pollutions.

UTILITY AND INDUSTRY

The never ending race for development, has been the motto of our politicians and society
alike. While, the fruits of development are sweet to be enjoyed, the hazardous environmental
imp,acts it produces cannot be shun aside. In fact, drastic measures should be adopted by
industrialist and developers to tackle the hazardous effects of pollution. For example, developers
should replace coal with natural gas as a power source. This is because natural gases produce far
less pollutants when compared to coal. Besides that, develop.rs should incorporate better waste
management services instead of dumping it into the environment. For example, coal utility plants
should be placed as far as possible from clean water sources due to possible contamination of
mercury. In addition, coal plants should also be equipped with a proper desulphitation system to
filter sulphur dioxide and treat flue gas.

The emission of the dangerous gas ChloroFluoroCarbon(CFC) gas into the atmosphere
should also be greatly reduced due to its harmful effects. The use of utilitites which emit this gas
should be more efficient and responsible. Besides that, more efficient and complete cooling
systems should be adopted instead of the current one. This can be done by replacing CFC with
HCFC or HFC.