VII Hazardous Chemicals Multiple choice and two essay questions

VII Hazardous Chemicals Multiple choice and two questions - Essay Example In case the material does not drip but remains at the immediate site of combustion, they thermally decompose and ignites spreading the fire (Meyer, 2010). When polymeric material burn, they decompose producing a considerable amount of gases and vapour. As the decomposition process continues, the gas might migrate and accumulate elsewhere especially near the ceiling. Here, they mix with atmospheric air then ignite causing the flame to spread further. Through a phenomenon called flashover, decomposition of a polymer can be caused by heat conducted, or radiated from another point. Combustible gases produced by thermal decomposition ignites and spread the fire to other room or sections. At flashover, safe exit from a room is not possible, and the living condition of a room are usually unbearable with the rooms temperatures ranging from 600 - 800-degree centigrade (Meyer, 2010). In addition, the vapour and gases produced by polymeric fire are dangerous and fatal. They include nitrogenous, sulfurous gases. A high concentration of carbon monoxide is also produced. If in an enclosed area, the level of these gases soar to a dangerous level within few minutes. The fire may affect areas far away the source. The hot gases and vapour produced can spread by convection through ventilation systems and other openings and end up affecting people elsewhere in the building. Polymeric fire produces a considerable amount of soot that when inhaled draws toxic gases into the bronchi and lungs (Meyer, 2010). Of all the three gases produced, Carbon Monoxide(CO) can be the most dangerous to the Environment, Health and Safety or the Fire Services professional responding to the scene. Once inhaled, the gas combines with the haemoglobin in the blood circulation system and converts into carboxyhemoglobin that causes an ineffective delivery of oxygen to the body tissues. At concentration levels of

Technology in Air Pollution Reduction Research Paper

Technology in Air Pollution Reduction - Research Paper Example The paper "Technology in Air Pollution Reduction" discovers Technology in Air Pollution Reduction. Particulate matter can also be removed using an Electrostatic Air Cleaner (or Electrostatic Precipitator). An Electrostatic Air Cleaner is used in industries such as pulp mills, oil & fired utilities and oil refineries. Putantunda suggests that this air pollution control method uses the energy generated by an induced electrostatic charge, to collect particulates from any flowing gas. The filtration devices are efficient and effective in trapping particles, like dust and smoke, from a stream of gas. The mechanism of Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPs) involves: gas ionization, electric charging of the gas particles, transportation of the particles to the collection surface of the ESP neutralization of the charge of the gas particles and removal of dust particles from the collecting surface. The ESP is advantageous because it is can be modified during manufacture so that it has a near perf ect efficiency of collecting particulates. The electrostatic precipitator can also work automatically when fitted with control devices. An important consideration when determining whether to engage in technology is cost. The ESP has a very low maintenance cost demands. However, the capital required to apply this technology is substantial. This technology is only restricted to trapping particulates only. It is impossible to trap air pollutants like the sulfur oxides using ESP. Sulfur oxide (SO2) is removed.... The incoming exhaust gas is sprayed with limestone generating carbon dioxide and solid calcium sulfate (Kumar, n.d.). The lime scrubber method is also used to remove sulfur oxide where lime instead of limestone is used instead. The scrubbing liquid is usually water. The particulate collection process can be follows four steps: transportation of the particles, collision of the particles with water droplets due to surface tension and the removal of water droplets from the particles. Wet scrubber technique is useful in trapping air pollutants in the form of solids and gases. It is however expensive to maintain because it easily corrodes. Another demerit of using this technology is that, it has a waste system consisting of the scrubbing liquid laden with the pollutants. After it has been used, this liquid poses a danger of water pollution if not properly disposed. Compared to the ESP technology, the wet scrubber uses more energy in terms of electricity. This is because energy is used in the flowing scrubbing liquid that traps air pollutants. However, for the ESP, the only energy applied is for the particulates being collected. Catalytic converters The Advanced Clean Air Technologies (ACAT) unveiled an advanced catalytic converter that can reduce emissions drastically; testing parameters depict a high efficiency in reducing of particulate matter released to the atmosphere and a subsequent air pollution reduction. Catalytic converters involve unsophisticated technology for the appropriate tuning of vehicle engines to control vehicle emissions. For catalytic converters to function properly, they require platinum and palladium catalysts which are attached to a ceramic material. This technology is very effective in controlling car emission as it provides a high