UEN008: Energy and Environment Quiz

UEN008: Energy and Environment

• The course aims to provide students with an understanding of environmental and energy issues in the context of the current global scenario.
• Focuses on the need for sustainability in addressing current environmental and energy challenges.
• Course Objectives:
  • Understand the terms, definitions and scope of environmental and energy issues
  • Understand the concept of sustainability and sustainable use of natural resources
  • Understand climate change and its related aspects
• Course Contents:
  • Introduction: Concept of sustainability and sustainable use of natural resources, Climate Change & its related aspects
  • Air Pollution: Origin, Sources and effects of air pollution; Primary and secondary meteorological parameters; wind roses; Atmospheric stability; Source reduction and Air Pollution Control Devices for particulates and gaseous pollutants in stationary sources.
  • Water Pollution: Origin, Sources of water pollution, Category of water pollutants, Physicochemical characteristics, Components of wastewater treatment systems.
  • Solid waste management: Introduction to solid waste management, Sources, characteristics of municipal solid waste, Solid waste management methods: Incineration, composting, landfilling.
  • Energy Resources: Classification of Energy Resources; Non-conventional energy resources- Biomass energy, Thermo-chemical conversion and biochemical conversion route; Solar energy-active and passive solar energy absorption systems; Type of collectors; Thermal and photo conversion applications.
• Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs):
  • Comprehend the interdisciplinary context of environmental issues with reference to sustainability.
  • Assess the impact of anthropogenic activities on the various elements of environment and apply suitable techniques to mitigate their impact.
  • Demonstrate the application of technology in real time assessment and control of pollutants.
  • Correlate environmental concerns with the conventional energy sources associated and assess the uses and limitations of non-conventional energy technologies.
• Evaluation Scheme:
  • Mid-Semester Test (MST): 35%
  • End Semester Test (EST): 35%
  • Sessionals/Quizzes/Project: 30%
• Sustainability:
  • Sustainable development is defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
  • Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the global goals adopted by the UN member states in 2015 to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.
  • The 17 SDGs are integrated, meaning that action in one area will affect the outcomes of other areas.
  • Circular Economy: A system that is based on restorative and regenerative principles. It aims to shift from the traditional 'take-make-dispose' models towards sustainable modes for resource use and reutilization.
• Cleaner Production:
  • A tool to achieve SDGs.
  • Aims to reduce pollution and resource usage through a systematic approach to production processes.
  • Industry 4.0: Encompasses a promise of a new industrial revolution which refers to intelligent networking of machines and processes for industry with the help of information and communication technology.
• 6Rs Principles:
  • Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refurbish, Redesign and Remanufacture which are the keys for driving resource efficiency

Climate Change

• Climate change is a long-term shift in global or regional climate patterns, often measured in decades or longer.
• It is primarily caused by human activities, particularly the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
• Impacts include:
  • Rising global temperatures
  • More frequent and intense heat waves
  • Rising sea levels
  • More extreme weather events, like hurricanes and droughts

Air Pollution

• Arises from the release of harmful substances into the atmosphere, primarily from human activities.
• Sources:
  • Stationary sources (such as power plants, industrial facilities)
  • Mobile sources (such as vehicles)
• Effects:
  • Respiratory problems
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Acid rain
  • Climate change
• Pollution Control Devices:
  • Used to reduce air pollution from stationary sources
  • Examples include:
    • Particulate matter filters
    • Scrubbers for gas pollutants
• Meteorological Parameters (factors that influence air pollution):
  • Wind speed and direction: affect the dispersal of pollutants
  • Atmospheric stability: stable atmosphere traps pollutants, while unstable atmosphere disperses them

Water Pollution

• Arises from the contamination of water sources (like rivers, lakes, oceans, groundwater) by harmful substances.
• Sources:
  • Industrial discharges
  • Agricultural runoff
  • Sewage
  • Urban runoff
• Effects:
  • Waterborne diseases
  • Damage to aquatic ecosystems
  • Eutrophication (excess nutrients in water)
• Wastewater Treatment Systems:
  • Designed to remove pollutants from wastewater before it is discharged into the environment.
  • Stages include:
    • Pre-treatment (removing large solids)
    • Primary treatment (settling out solids)
    • Secondary treatment (biological removal of organic matter)
    • Tertiary treatment (removal of specific pollutants like nutrients)

Solid Waste Management

• The process of collecting, transporting, processing, and disposing of solid waste materials.
• Characteristics of Municipal Solid Waste:
  • Composition: food waste, paper, plastics, metals, yard waste
  • Hazards: flammable materials, hazardous chemicals
• Management Methods:
  • Landfilling: burying waste in designated areas
  • Incineration: burning waste to reduce volume
  • Composting: decomposing biodegradable waste into soil-enriching material

Energy Resources

• Classification:
  • Conventional: fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas)
  • Non-conventional: renewable energy sources (solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, hydropower)
• Non-conventional Energy Resources:
  • Biomass Energy: derived from organic matter like wood, crops, and waste. Converted to energy through:
    • Thermo-chemical conversion (burning)
    • Biochemical conversion (fermentation)
  • Solar Energy: harnessed from sunlight. Two types:
    • Passive solar: using sunlight for heating and cooling without mechanical equipment
    • Active solar: using collectors to capture and convert solar energy into electricity or heat
  • Other Non-Conventional Sources:
    • Wind energy
    • Geothermal energy
    • Hydropower