Pollution Solutions
Steam coming from scrubbers installed on factory smoke stacks.Copyright EPA, http://www.epa.gov/airnow/health/smog.pdf
To develop an understanding of modern industrial technologies that clean up and prevent air pollution, students build and observe a variety of simple models of engineering pollutant recovery methods: scrubber, electrostatic precipitator, cyclone and baghouse. In an associated literacy activity, students become more aware of global environmental problems and play a part in their solution by writing environmental action campaign letters.
One of the biggest challenges environmental and chemical engineers face is devising new techniques to prevent the creation of additional air pollution from manufacturing and industry. Their challenge is compounded by industry owners who do not want the added clean-up steps than can slow down and/or add cost to their manufacturing processes. So, engineers must be creative in designing new pollutant recovery methods and industrial technologies that clean and prevent air pollution.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Describe and explain how a scrubber, an electrostatic precipitator, a cyclone and a baghouse work as pollutant recovery methods.
- Give examples of when the use of a scrubber, an electrostatic precipitator, a cyclone or a baghouse is appropriate.
- Describe how engineers create technology to help industry clean up their air pollution.