(SEM V) THEORY EXAMINATION 2023-24 AIR AND NOISE POLLUTION CONTROL

Subject Code: KCE057

Subject Name: Air and Noise Pollution Control

Course: B.Tech (Semester V)

Maximum Marks: 100

Duration: 3 Hours

Exam Year: 2023–24

Sections: A, B, and C

SECTION A – Short Answer Questions (2 × 10 = 20 Marks)

Attempt all questions briefly.

a. Write the classification of air pollutants.
b. What are toxic air pollutants?
c. What are the plume types?
d. Define the mixing depth.
e. List the major equipment used to control air pollution.
f. What are the advantages of bag house filters?
g. What are the classifications of adsorbent?
h. Write down the harmful implications of Sulphur dioxide (SO₂).
i. Define noise pollution.
j. What are the psychological effects of air pollution?

Tip: Focus on definitions and examples — e.g., SO₂ effects: acid rain, respiratory issues; plume types: loop, coning, fanning, fumigation, etc.

SECTION B – Medium-Length Questions (10 × 3 = 30 Marks)

Attempt any three of the following.

What are the causes of environmental pollution?

Write down the effect of wind velocity on air pollution dispersion.

Describe the gravitational settling chamber with its advantages and disadvantages.

Explain how industrial air contaminants are managed and treated.

Provide the basics of acoustics and specify sound parameters — sound power, intensity, and pressure levels.

Tip: Practice diagrams for gravitational settling chambers and explain their particle collection mechanism using terminal velocity concepts.

SECTION C – Long / Analytical Questions (10 × 5 = 50 Marks)

Q3. Air Pollutants

a. Provide detailed classification of air pollutants — (primary, secondary, natural, man-made, gaseous, particulate).
OR
b. Explain indoor air pollution — causes (smoking, cooking, paints, radon gas) and effects on human health.

Q4. Meteorological & Chemical Aspects

a. Discuss the meteorological aspects of air pollution — wind, temperature inversion, lapse rate, stability, and plume rise.
OR
b. Explore the chemistry of air pollution — reactions forming smog, acid rain, ozone depletion, etc.

Q5. Particulate Control

a. Outline the methods for controlling particulate pollutants — mechanical, wet, electrostatic, filtration.
OR
b. Discuss the working principles of:             Gravitational settling chamber

Cyclone separator                                          Wet collector (scrubber)

Q6. Gaseous Pollutant Control

a. Differentiate between absorption, adsorption, condensation, and combustion methods for gaseous contaminant control.
OR
b. Explain control measures for:                     Sulphur oxides (SOx)

Nitrogen oxides (NOx)                                     Carbon monoxide (CO)

Hydrocarbons (HCs)

Q7. Noise Pollution

a. Describe noise control methods — barriers, vegetation, enclosures, silencers, and zoning regulations.
OR
b. Explain special noise environments — infrasound, ultrasound, impulsive sound, sonic boom.

Key Topics to Prepare

Air Pollution Fundamentals

Classification: Primary vs Secondary pollutants

Major pollutants: CO, NOx, SO₂, HC, Particulate matter (PM₂.₅, PM₁₀)

Sources: Vehicles, industries, power plants      Effects: Human health, vegetation, materials, visibility

Meteorology & Dispersion

Temperature inversion and its effect on pollutant trapping

Plume behavior: Looping, coning, fanning, fumigation, lofting

Wind velocity and atmospheric stability

Control Equipment

Gravitational Settling Chamber – large particle removal

Cyclone Separator – centrifugal separation

Wet Scrubber – uses liquid for particle capture

Baghouse Filter – filtration for fine particulates

Electrostatic Precipitator – electrical field-based collection

Gaseous Contaminant Control

Absorption (liquid-gas contact)

Adsorption (solid-gas contact)

Condensation (temperature reduction)

Combustion (oxidation to CO₂ + H₂O)

Noise Pollution & Acoustics

Sound parameters: intensity, power, pressure level (dB).

Noise sources: industrial, transport, construction.

Control measures: design, isolation, vegetation barriers.

Special noise: Infrasound (<20 Hz), Ultrasound (>20 kHz), Sonic boom.

Study Tips

Memorize key definitions and units — e.g., decibel (dB), ppm, µg/m³.

Draw simple diagrams — pollution control devices and plume patterns.

Understand practical examples — Delhi smog, industrial noise, etc.

Learn equations — Stokes’ Law (settling), dB = 10 log₁₀(P₂/P₁).

Revise environmental laws — Air Act (1981), Noise Rules (2000).