Subject Chemistry Paper No and Title 4, Environmental

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Chemistry

PAPER No. : 4, Environmental chemistry

MODULE No. : 35, Environmental friendly practices and industrial processes

Subject Chemistry

Paper No and Title 4, Environmental chemistry

Module No and Title 35, Environmental friendly Practices and Industrial

Processes

Module Tag CHE_P4_M35

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Chemistry



TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Learning outcomes

2. Introduction

3. Environmental friendly practices and industrial processes

3.1 Different levels of industries contributing industrial pollution

3.2 Better industrial processes for some industries

4. Steps taken by government for improving industrial processes

4.1 Charter on “Corporate responsibility for environmental protection” (CREP)

5. Summary

1. Learning Outcomes

After studying this module, you shall be able to:

Know more about industrial pollution

Learn how different levels of different industries contribute to pollution

Know about the contribution of environmental engineering in better industrial processes

Evaluate the solutions or preventing techniques to save the environment.

2. Introduction

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Environmental chemistry is all about the scientific study of the chemical and biochemical

phenomena occurring in natural places. In simple words it is the study of chemical processes

occurring in the environment. We have done the detailed study of biogeochemical cycles of some

essential elements like carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur and oxygen. We cannot deny the

importance of these elements needed by all living organisms. The ecological balance of these

cycles is responsible for change in climate.

We cannot control the environmental pollution generated by nature itself like by volcanoes,

landslides etc. But we must take serious initiative to control the pollution caused by the human

beings. Of these, significant steps are needed to control the pollution being done by various

industries as well as vehicular pollution, etc. The industrial revolution, as we are aware, gave

birth to significant contribution to the environmental pollution.

In this module we shall focus on some of the Environmental friendly Practices and Industrial

Processes which can play significant role in the control of the industrial pollution. The better

industrial processes will ensure that the disasters like Bhopal gas tragedy, Chernobyl, Three Miles

Islands won’t occur again.

Smog now darkens the sky in cities the world over, and the air we all breathe is increasingly

contaminated with particulate matter and carbon monoxide. We all know that these pollutants are

hazardous to human and environmental health. Various Governments are taking measures to

control environmental pollution. More than that if each one is aware about the hazards of

environmental pollution and the measures to minimize them, we can significantly contribute in

improving the quality of environment that we live in. We shall study some of these steps in this

module.

3. Environmental friendly Practices and Industrial Processes

The industrial revolution has brought significant progress in all spheres of life including

manufacturing processes that have become more productive and efficient. But this is true that

nothing comes without any price. The advancement in industrial technologies accompanied along

with untreated discharge of wastewater introduces challenge of excessive water pollution.

Industries are known to be the largest sources of water pollution, responsible for more than 50%

of the total water pollution. Water gets polluted by discharging waste water or effluent into

streams, lakes, or oceans. Commonly known water pollutants are grit, asbestos, phosphates,

nitrates, mercury, lead, caustic soda and other sodium compounds, sulfuric acids and

petrochemicals.

Addition to this, there are number of manufacturing plants discharging undiluted corrosives,

poisons, and other noxious byproducts resulting pollution. For example, the construction industry

discharges slurries of gypsum, cement, abrasives, metals, and poisonous solvents. Polychlorinated

biphenyl compounds, components of lubricants, plastic wrappers, and adhesives are other group

of contaminants that enters into food chains and cause toxicity. Also the waste water at high

temperature is discharged by thermal power plants resulting thermal pollution. This will decrease

the dissolved oxygen in water bodies, thereby disrupting the water's ecological balance.

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3.1 Different levels of industries contributing industrial pollution

Primary level: In primary level there are industries, which make the use of raw materials, extract

them that can be used to make the useful items. Mining activities, forestry, and fishing are some

of the activities which are used in extraction of raw materials. We have already learnt how the

mining activities cause land pollution. They are responsible for soil erosion, formation of skin

holes, and loss of biodiversity. Extraction of minerals also contribute to ground water and surface

water pollution. Similarly, deforestation for obtaining wood as raw material cause climate

imbalance, global warming, soil erosion and floods. So the best solution to control deforestation

is employing a series of rules and laws to govern it. Also the forests should not be clear

completely in order to control total depletion of the forest cover. Cutting must be replaced by

planting young trees to replace the older ones that were cut.

Secondary level: In this level there are industries which process the raw materials produced by

primary level and change them into usable products. The process involved is very much

responsible for environmental pollution by releasing harmful gases into air and unwanted

industrial waste that contributes to water and land/soil pollution.

3.2 Better industrial processes for some industries

For any existing industry as well as new industry being set, environmental friendly

practices are very important. Principles of engineering, soil science, biology, and

chemistry must be used to develop solutions to environmental problems. Efforts should

be made very sincerely at all the stages to reduce waste generation, maximise reuse,

improve recycling and waste disposal. Some of these being implemented by industries

having better practices are:

Industrial Facilities Planning

When designing a new facility, one must keep the question in mind, “How can this

facility be designed so that its environmental impact can be at a minimum?” For this,

two factors must be considered: space requirements and material handling requirements.

They both must be designed efficiently to minimize waste within the process and provide

optimal workflow within the facility as well as minimise waste for outside environment.

Total Quality Management

Total Quality Management is a system that is used throughout the majority of

manufacturing facilities and can also be applied to managing the effects of waste on the

environment. For this, industrial engineers must improve the processes and make them

better on continuous basis.No TQM program will be able to succeed if higher

management is not on board. Since they are the ones with the final say, it is important

that they are brought into this process and are open to the idea of continuous

improvement.

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Process Design

Designing a new process to manufacture a certain product or perform a certain operation

requires careful planning and resources. This can be done by limiting energy use and

materials through product redesign, using renewable materials as much as possible and

developing ecologically sensitive purchasing policies. While designing the process,

Identification of the sources of waste that it exposes, what it can eliminate and what it

fails to eliminate must be kept in mind before implementing it.

Further, for the already existing processes, where waste is being generated, its safe

disposal techniques and further processing techniques should be adopted so that the waste

is not discharged into air and water bodies. The industry must be sensitive towards the

health of their staff members and take remedial measures in case of adversity

immediately. Further awareness workshops must be conducted to make the general public

living around the area about what type of first aids should be taken in case of any

accidental leaks, etc.

Better practices for some Industries

Cement industry: Manufacturing of green cement

Green cement is considered to be eco-friendly, during its manufacturing less or even negligible

amount of carbon dioxide is release. It also has high functional capacity. Coal and petroleum are

primary fuels in the manufacturing of cement which are non-renewable resources these can be

replaced by other fuels so that they can be reserve for future generation.

Sugar industry The furnaces must be upgraded in which bagasse is used as fuel. There should be use of waste

water treatment plants and air pollution control equipment to maintain the quality of air and water

around the mills. The waste water should be recycled instead of release in nearby water bodies.

Recycling of condensates and cooling water helps in minimizing the water pollution.

Distillery This is also our responsibility to protect our environment therefore people should be made aware

to avoid the excess consumption of alcohol. It should be used only in positive manner like in

medicines and as some food preservatives. This will limit the alcohol manufacturing and also

control the pollution caused by it. Also in order to overcome ill effects and to reduce the cost of

the effluent treatment, it is good to convert the distillery waste into compost by means of bio-

composting.

The government has notified environmental standards for the distillery sector under the

environment (protection) act, 1986. The government is also encouraging the distilleries to achieve

zero discharge of effluent.

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Paper and pulp industry

The waste paper from paper industry can be recycled or reused. The suspended solids in paper

mills are removed by sedimentation so as to reduce water pollution. The process results in the

settle down of particles under the impact of gravity and then removed from the base of the tanks.

The chlorine containing bleaching agents can be replaced by other pulp-bleaching agents like

hydrogen peroxide, ozone and oxygen.

4. Steps taken by Government for improving industrial processes

Let us now look at some of the steps taken by Government of India for Prevention and Control of

Pollution in India.

The Ministry of Environment & Forest (MoEF or MEF) formulated a policy for

abatement of pollution, which provides multi-pronged strategies in the form of

regulations, legislations, agreements, fiscal incentives and other measures. Over the

years, the thrust has shifted from curative measures to prevention and control through

adoption of clean and low-waste technology, reuse and recycling, natural resource

accounting, environmental audit and human resource development.

An “Eco-mark” label has been introduced to put on consumer products that are

environment-friendly.

Submission of an environmental statement by polluting units seeking consent either

under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 or the Air

(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 or both and the authorisation under

the Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 1989 has been made

mandatory through a gazette notification in April 1993 under the Environment

(Protection) Act, 1986.

Environmental audit ensured cost-effective compliance of laws, standards, regulations

and company policies, etc.

Environmental audit ensured cost-effective compliance of laws, standards,

regulations and company policies, etc.

As a part of the industrial pollution abatement through preventive

strategies, financial assistance is being provided for establishment and

running of waste minimisation circles in clusters of small-scale industries,

capacity building in areas of cleaner production, establishment of

demonstration units in selected industrial sectors, etc. The programme is

being funded through National Productivity Council, which has pioneered

in the activity.

A network of 295 Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations, covering 90

towns/cities all over the country, has been set up by Central Pollution

Control Board in coordination with the State Pollution Control

Boards/Pollution Control Committees and other institutions for carrying out

regular monitoring.

Under National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP), four air

pollutants, viz., sulphur dioxide (S02), oxides of nitrogen as NO2,

Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) and Respirable Suspended Particulate

Matter (RSPM/PM10), have been identified for regular monitoring at all the

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CPCB, SPCBs and PCCs are responsible for implementing the legislation, regulations

and guidelines relating to prevention and control of pollution; they also develop rules and

regulations which prescribe the standards for emissions and effluents of air and water

pollutants and noise levels. CPCB also provides technical services to the MEF for

implementing the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Some steps taken by Delhi government to reduce the pollution in Delhi

Pollution Checking by Transport Department:

Mobile enforcement teams are being deployed on regular basis at road locations for

prosecution of polluting vehicles and vehicles not having PUC Certificates.

Public Awareness:

Public awareness campaigns are conducted to raise social consciousness on the issue

and educate motorists about the health hazards, statutory provisions and control

measures viz. engine tuning and maintenance.

Catalytic Converters:

The MEF is facilitating and coordinating controlling of vehicular pollution

in the field with the concerned ministries and its associated

bodies/organisations including the Ministry of Surface Transport, the

Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and the Ministry of Industry, in areas

such as up gradation of automobile technology, improvement in fuel quality,

expansion of urban public transport systems and promotion of integrated

traffic management, etc.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), autoomous body of the MEF,

was set up in September 1974, under the provisions of the Water

(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. It coordinates the activities

of the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control

Committees (PCCs), and also advises the Central Government on all matters

concerning the prevention and control of environmental pollution.

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Mass Rapid Transport System:

Mass Rapid Transport System is being constructed with the objective to place a non-

polluting, efficient and affordable rail based mass rapid transit system for NCT of

Delhi, duly integrated with other modes of transport.

Phasing out of Old Commercial Vehicles:

With a view to reduce vehicular pollution in Delhi Hon'ble Supreme Court vide its

orders in CWP No. 13029 of 1985 has banned the plying of following categories of

vehicles in Delhi: -

More than 15 years old commercial/ transport vehicles. Autos & Taxis driven on

conventional fuels. Diesel driven city buses.

Tightening of mass emission standards for new vehicles:

Mass emission norms for new vehicles were introduced in the year 1991. Subsequently,

these norms have been tightened for new vehicles in all categories in 1996 and 2000. At

present, only vehicles (except 2 and 3 wheelers) complying with Bharat Stage III/Euro-

III emission norms and 2 and 3 wheelers complying with Bharat Stage II/Euro-II

emission norms are being registered in the Delhi .

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4.1 Charter on "Corporate Responsibility for Environmental Protection” (CREP)

In March 2003, the Ministry of Environment & Forest (MoEF) has launched the Charter on

"Corporate Responsibility for Environmental Protection (CREP)". The purpose is to go beyond

the agreement of regulatory norms for prevention & control of pollution through various

measures such as minimizing of waste, in-plant process control & adoption of clean technologies.

It has set targets for conservation of water, energy, recovery of chemicals, reduction in pollution,

elimination of toxic pollutants, process & management of residues that are need to be disposed

off.

Example: Steps to be taken under CREP for tannery sector

Chrome recovery: All the chrome-tanning units in the country will have the Chrome Recovery

Plant and use the recovered chrome in the tanning process.

Waste minimization measure: It will be formed in all the clusters of tanneries in the country in

order to adopt clean technologies.

Reduction of water consumption in tannery units: All the tanneries should install water meters

and flow meters to measure actual consumption and waste water discharge.

Some other measures under CREP are as follows:

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5. Summary

Let us now recapitulate what we have learnt in this module of better industrial processes.

The industrial revolution, as we are aware, gave birth to significant contribution to the

environmental pollution. We cannot control the environmental pollution generated by nature itself

like by volcanoes, landslides etc. But we must take serious initiative to control the pollution

caused by the human beings. In this module we learnt some of the Environmental friendly

Practices and Industrial Processes which play significant role in the control of the industrial

pollution.

Most important is that we as individuals must feel responsible towards ensuring clean

environment. You yourself must try to enforce the 3Rs i.e., reduce, reuse and recycle. You should

also work towards creating environmental friendly awareness for others . This is the best way to

save our mother Earth.

Qualified and well trained staff should be employed.

Automatic monitoring instruments should be installed

Open anaerobic lagoons should be converted into closed systems with gas recovery

For health & safety of worker in the industry, the guidelines developed by CPCB

should be implemented.

All major tannery units should take-up environmental auditing on annual basis.

Documents

Subject Chemistry Paper No and Title 4, Environmental