Subject Code/Name : CME 366/EQUIPMENT FOR POLLUTION CONTROL
Regulation : R-2021
Year/Sec : THIRD YEAR
Semester : SIXTH SEMESTER
UNIT – V
POLLUTION MONITORING EQUIPMENT
Equipment’s for sampling of water, solids and air- Sample preservation Equipment – incubators –
Cold Storage systems - equipment for analysis of water and air samples - Ambient air and flue gas
sampling and monitoring equipment
1. Define sampling of water and list the equipment’s used for water sampling.
It is the process used to select a small portion of water or wastewater for the purpose of
determining the characteristics of an entire batch of water or wastewater.
Sampling is used every day at water and wastewater treatment plants to determine the
characteristics of the water.
Water Sampling Equipment’s
Water Sampling Bottles/Containers:
Made of high-density plastic or glass.
Available in various sizes to accommodate different sample volumes.
Some bottles may be pre-cleaned and certified for specific analyses.
Water Sampling Devices:
Water Sampler Bottles: Used to collect water samples from specific depths in lakes, rivers,
or oceans.
Examples include Van Dorn, Kemmerer, or Niskin bottles.
Van Dorn Bottle: Open the sampler by raising the end seals. Set the trip mechanism.
Lower the sampler to the desired depth.
Activate a metal or rubber messenger to "trip" the mechanism that closes the end seals of the
sampler.
Transfer the water sample from the Van Dorn bottle to individual sample containers via the
drain valve.
Pole Sampler: Enables sampling from shallow water bodies
Water Quality Meters:
pH Meter: Measures the acidity or alkalinity of the water.
Conductivity Meter: Measures the ability of water to conduct electrical current, indicating
the presence of dissolved solids.
Dissolved Oxygen Meter: Measures the concentration of oxygen dissolved in water, crucial
for aquatic life.
Temperature Probe: Measures the temperature of the water at the sampling site.
Submersible Pumps:
Used for collecting water samples from wells, boreholes, or groundwater monitoring points.
Available in various sizes and configurations depending on the depth and volume of water to
be sampled.
Water Quality Testing Kits:
Portable kits containing reagents, test tubes, and color comparison charts.
Used for on-site testing of parameters such as turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS),
ammonia, nitrate, phosphate, and chlorine.
Grab Samplers:
Used for collecting instantaneous water samples from surface water bodies.
Examples include bucket samplers or hand-held dip samplers.
2. Define Solid sampling and list the equipment’s used for solid sampling.
Solid sampling involves collecting representative samples for analysis of physical and chemical
properties, such as moisture content, density, pH, metals, organic compounds, or pathogens.
Solid Sampling Equipment’s
Core Samplers:
Used for collecting cylindrical soil samples from various depths.
Examples include split barrel samplers, piston samplers, and drive samplers.
Piston Sampler
Hand Augers:
Manual tools used to collect clay or black soil samples from shallow depths.
Consist of a helical metal shaft with a handle for twisting into the ground.
Power Augers:
Motorized equipment used to collect soil samples from deeper depths more efficiently.
Available in different sizes and configurations depending on the soil type and sampling
requirements.
Shovel or Spade:
Used for collecting surface soil samples or for excavation in areas where other sampling
equipment may not be suitable.
Soil Probes:
Penetrate the soil to collect samples without disturbing the soil structure excessively.
Various designs include tube probes, Dutch probes, and Giddings probes.
Tube probe
Soil Core Ring:
Used to extrude soil cores collected by core samplers for analysis and storage.
Sieves and Sieve Shakers:
Used to separate soil samples into different particle size fractions for analysis.
Sieves come in various mesh sizes to accommodate different particle sizes.
3. Define sampling of Air and list the equipment’s used for Air sampling.
Air sampling is a process used to determine what airborne contaminants are present in an
environment.
It uses special instruments to detect contaminants such as gases, vapors, dusts and fibers in the air.
Air Sampling Equipment’s
Sampling Pumps:
Used to draw air through sampling media at a controlled flow rate.
Available in different types such as personal pumps, area pumps, and high-volume pumps.
Can be battery-operated or powered by electricity.
Personal pump
Sampling Media:
Filters: Capture particulate matter suspended in the air. Examples include:
High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters.
Quartz fiber filters for particulate matter analysis.
Sorbent Tubes:
Trap gaseous pollutants for analysis. Examples include:
Charcoal tubes for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other organic compounds.
Tenax tubes for sampling low molecular weight VOCs.
Calibration Equipment: Calibrators is used to verify the flow rate of air sampling pumps.
Meteorological Equipment’s:
Monitor meteorological parameters such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, and wind
direction during sampling.
Helps in understanding the influence of weather conditions on air quality.
Air Quality Monitors:
Real-time instruments for measuring various air pollutants such as:
Particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5).
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
Sulfur dioxide (SO2).
Carbon monoxide (CO).
Ozone (O3).
Provides immediate feedback on air quality conditions.
4. Explain on Sample preservation Equipment for Pollution Control System
Sample preservation equipment plays a crucial role in pollution control by ensuring that samples
collected from the environment remain stable and representative of the actual conditions at the
sampling site.
Coolers and Ice Packs: These are used to maintain low temperatures during sample
transportation, especially for samples that need to be kept cold to prevent microbial growth or
chemical reactions.
Refrigeration Units: Larger-scale operations may utilize refrigerated storage units to keep
samples at the appropriate temperature until analysis.
Preservative Chemicals: Various chemicals are added to samples to prevent degradation or
alteration of pollutants. For example, acidification with sulfuric acid can preserve water samples
for heavy metal analysis by preventing metal precipitation.
Freezers: Samples requiring deep freezing are stored in freezers to prevent microbial growth and
chemical degradation. This is particularly important for samples containing organic compounds or
volatile pollutants.
pH Meters and Buffers: pH meters and buffer solutions are used to measure and adjust the pH of
samples. Maintaining the correct pH in water samples is crucial for preserving the integrity of
certain pollutants and preventing chemical transformations.
Airtight Containers: Samples are often stored in airtight containers to prevent contamination
from outside sources and to maintain sample integrity during transportation and storage.
UV-Protected Containers: For samples susceptible to degradation from light exposure, such as
certain organic compounds, UV-protected containers are used to shield the samples from light.
Gas Tight Containers: Some samples, particularly those containing volatile organic compounds,
require storage in gas-tight containers to prevent the loss of volatile components.
Vacuum Sealing Equipment: Vacuum sealing equipment is used to remove air from sample
containers, which can help preserve samples by minimizing exposure to oxygen and preventing
oxidation reactions.
5. Explain the role of Incubators in Pollution Control System
Microbial Analysis:
Incubators are used to cultivate microorganisms present in environmental samples, such as
water, soil, or air.
By providing optimal temperature, humidity, and sometimes oxygen levels, incubators create
conditions conducive to microbial growth.
Monitoring microbial populations helps in understanding the level of biological pollution and
microbial dynamics in polluted environments.
BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) Analysis:
Incubators are commonly used in BOD testing, which measures the amount of oxygen
consumed by microorganisms during the biological degradation of organic matter in water.
BOD tests are essential for evaluating the organic pollution level in water bodies.
Biodegradation Studies:
In pollution control, incubators are utilized to study the biodegradation of pollutants under
controlled conditions.
By maintaining specific temperature and humidity levels, researchers can simulate
environmental conditions and assess the rate of pollutant breakdown by microorganisms.
Sample Storage:
In certain cases, incubators are used for short-term storage of samples requiring specific
temperature conditions to maintain stability.
For instance, samples containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may be stored in
incubators at controlled temperatures to prevent evaporation or degradation.
6. Explain the role of Cold Storage system in Pollution Control System
Cold storage systems play a significant role in pollution control across various aspects of
environmental monitoring, sample preservation, and analytical procedures.
Sample Preservation:
Cold storage systems are essential for preserving environmental samples, including water, soil,
air, and biological specimens.
Temperature-sensitive Analysis:
Many pollutants and environmental parameters require specific temperature conditions to
ensure accurate analysis.
Cold storage systems provide a controlled environment for storing reagents, and analytical
equipment used in temperature-sensitive assays, such as BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand)
testing, microbial enumeration, and volatile organic compound (VOC) analysis.
Chemical Stability:
Certain pollutants and sample matrices are prone to chemical transformations and degradation
at higher temperatures.
Cold storage systems help mitigate these issues by preserving the chemical stability of
samples, preventing the loss of volatile components.
Microbiological Analysis:
Cold storage systems support microbiological analysis by maintaining samples at temperatures
that prevent the rapid increase of microorganisms.
This is crucial for preventing microbial contamination and pathogen detection in
environmental samples.
Regulatory Compliance (Rule or Law):
Many environmental regulations and monitoring programs mandate the use of cold storage
systems to maintain sample originality and traceability.
7. Enumerate the equipment’s used for analysis of water samples
Water Quality Meters:
Instruments such as pH meters, conductivity meters, dissolved oxygen meters, and turbidity
meters are used to measure various parameters directly in the field or in the laboratory.
Spectrophotometers:
Spectrophotometers are used to measure the absorbance or transmission of light through a
liquid sample at different wavelengths.
They are often used in water analysis for the determination of parameters such as nutrient
concentrations, organic pollutants, and metal ions.
Gas Chromatography (GC) Systems:
GC systems are used to separate and quantify volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other
volatile contaminants, eg: hydrogen, oxygen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, sulfur, or nitrogen in
water samples.
Liquid Chromatography (LC) Systems:
LC systems are utilized for the separation and quantification of non-volatile organic
compounds, such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and other organic pollutants.
Ion Chromatography (IC) Systems:
IC systems are designed for the analysis of ionic species, such as anions (e.g., nitrate, sulfate,
chloride) and cations (e.g., metals), in water samples.
Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Analyzers:
TOC analyzers measure the total amount of organic carbon present in water samples.
They are widely used for monitoring organic pollution levels and assessing water quality.
8. Enumerate the equipment’s used for analysis of Air samples
High-Volume Air Samplers:
High-volume air samplers are used for collecting large volumes of air to assess ambient air
quality and determine concentrations of pollutants such as particulate matter that has a
diameter of less than 10 mics. (PM10, PM2.5), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and
heavy metals.
Gas Analyzers:
Gas analyzers are used to measure the concentrations of specific gases in air samples.
Examples include nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO),
ozone (O3), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Particulate Matter (PM) Monitors:
PM monitors measure the concentration and size distribution of particulate matter in the air,
which is crucial for assessing air quality and human health risks associated with inhalable
particles.
Spectrophotometers and Photometers:
These instruments are used for the analysis of aerosols, atmospheric gases, and pollutants that
absorb or scatter light in the UV-visible or infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Monitors:
IAQ monitors are used to assess indoor air quality parameters such as temperature, humidity,
carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, and volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations.
9. Explain in detail on Ambient air and flue gas sampling
Ambient Air Sampling
Purpose:
Ambient air sampling involves the collection of air samples from outdoor environments,
including residential, industrial, and urban areas, to assess air quality and monitor pollutant
concentrations.
Sampling Sites:
Common locations and sites include urban centers, industrial areas, residential neighborhoods,
and near major roadways.
Sampling Methods:
Various methods are used to collect ambient air samples, including high-volume samplers,
low-volume samplers, passive samplers, and real-time monitoring instruments.
These methods may target specific pollutants such as particulate matter, gases (e.g., nitrogen
dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone), volatile organic compounds, and heavy metals.
Sampling Equipment:
Equipment used for ambient air sampling includes air sampling pumps, filters, sorbent tubes,
impingers, and canisters.
The selection of equipment depends on the type of pollutants being monitored and the
sampling method employed.
Sampling Frequency:
Sampling frequency varies based on regulatory requirements, monitoring objectives, and
seasonal variations in air quality.
Continuous monitoring stations provide real-time data, while grab samples may be collected
daily, weekly, monthly, or seasonally.
Data Analysis:
Collected samples are analyzed in laboratories using analytical techniques such as gravimetric
analysis, spectroscopy, chromatography, and mass spectrometry.
Flue Gas Sampling:
Purpose:
Flue gas sampling involves the collection of gas samples emitted from industrial processes,
combustion sources, power plants, and incinerators to monitor emissions, assess compliance
with air quality regulations, and optimize pollution control technologies.
Sampling Points:
Sampling points are located at the outlet of flue stacks or exhaust vents to capture emissions
before they are released into the atmosphere.
Sampling Methods:
Flue gas sampling methods include extractive sampling and in-situ sampling.
Extractive sampling involves extracting a portion of the flue gas stream and transporting it to
the analysis system.
While in-situ sampling involves analyzing the gas directly at the stack or duct using
specialized probes and sensors.
Sampling Equipment:
Equipment used for flue gas sampling includes gas sampling probes, sample lines, particulate
samplers, gas analyzers, temperature and pressure sensors, and data logging systems.
Emission Monitoring Systems (EMS):
Continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS) and continuous opacity monitoring systems
(COMS) are used to continuously monitor and record flue gas emissions.
This includes concentrations of pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon
monoxide, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds.
Regulatory Compliance:
Flue gas sampling is subject to regulatory requirements and emission standards established by
environmental agencies to limit pollutant emissions and protect air quality.
Monitoring data are reported to authorities to demonstrate data with emission limits and
permit conditions.
10. Enumerate the equipment’s used in Ambient air and flue gas sampling
Ambient Air Monitoring Equipment:
High-Volume Samplers:
High-volume samplers collect large volumes of air over a specified period, typically 24 hours,
using filters to capture particulate matter for gravimetric analysis.
Low-Volume Samplers:
Low-volume samplers collect smaller air volumes over longer periods using filters, sorbent
tubes, or impingers to capture gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for analysis.
Passive Samplers:
Passive samplers absorb pollutants from the air over time without the need for active air
sampling pumps.
They are often used for monitoring pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone,
and VOCs.
Real-Time Monitoring Instruments:
Real-time monitoring instruments provide continuous measurements of air quality parameters
such as particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), gases (e.g., nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon
monoxide), ozone, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), temperature, humidity, and
meteorological conditions.
Gas Analyzers:
Gas analyzers measure the concentrations of specific gases in ambient air samples using
techniques such as electrochemical sensors, non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) spectroscopy,
chemiluminescence, and flame ionization detection (FID).
Particle Counters:
Particle counters quantify the number and size distribution of airborne particles in ambient air
samples using optical or electrical detection methods.
Meteorological Instruments:
Meteorological instruments measure parameters such as wind speed, wind direction,
temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure to assess atmospheric dispersion patterns and
understand the transport of pollutants in the air.
Flue Gas Monitoring Equipment:
Gas Sampling Probes:
Gas sampling probes extract samples of flue gas from industrial stacks or exhaust vents for
analysis.
Particulate Samplers:
Particulate samplers collect particles emitted from combustion processes for gravimetric
analysis or chemical characterization.
Gas Analyzers:
Gas analyzers measure the concentrations of pollutants in flue gas samples, including sulfur
dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen
(O2), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs).
Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (CEMS):
CEMS continuously monitor flue gas emissions in real-time, providing data on pollutant
concentrations, flow rates, and temperature conditions for regulatory compliance and process
optimization.
Opacity Monitors:
Opacity monitors measure the visual opacity of flue gas emissions to assess the presence of
particulate matter and compliance with opacity standards.
Particulate Matter Monitors:
Particulate matter monitors quantify the mass concentration and size distribution of particulate
matter in flue gas samples using gravimetric methods, light scattering techniques, or beta
attenuation.
Data Logging and Reporting Systems:
Data logging systems record monitoring data from ambient air and flue gas monitoring
equipment, allowing for data analysis, quality assurance, and reporting to regulatory
authorities.
2 MARK QUESTIONS
1. What is the purpose of grab sampling in water pollution control?
It allows for quick assessments of water quality parameters such as pH, temperature, dissolved
oxygen, turbidity, and pollutant concentrations.
2. How does passive sampling differ from active sampling in air pollution monitoring?
Passive sampling relies on the diffusion of pollutants through a permeable membrane or sorbent
material to collect air samples over time. It does not require external pumping equipment.
Active sampling uses pumps or vacuum systems to actively draw air through sampling media,
allowing for real-time or short-term measurements of pollutant concentrations.
3. What are the advantages of continuous monitoring in air pollution control?
Provides real-time data on air quality parameters
Early detection of pollution events
Rapid response to changes in pollutant levels
4. Why is it important to use refrigeration units for sample preservation in pollution control?
This helps to slow down chemical reactions
Reduces microbial growth and
Slows down degradation process
5. What chemicals preservative are used in sample preservation for pollution control?
Preservative chemicals such as acids (e.g., sulfuric acid) or sodium azide are added to samples to
remove microbial growth, prevent chemical reactions, and stabilize analytes.
6. What role do airtight containers play in sample preservation for pollution control?
Airtight containers prevent contamination and
Reduce exposure to external factors such as oxygen, moisture, and airborne pollutants.
7. Why are UV-protected containers used in sample preservation for pollution control?
It shields the samples from exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation
They help maintain sample stability and integrity, particularly for samples containing organic
compounds or photo-sensitive pollutants.
8. What is the primary function of a spectrophotometer in the analysis of water samples?
Used to measure the absorbance or transmission of light through a liquid sample at different
wavelengths.
It helps quantify parameters such as nutrient concentrations, organic pollutants, heavy metals.
9. What is the function of a pH meter in water sample analysis.
A pH meter measures the acidity or alkalinity of a water sample by detecting the concentration of
hydrogen ions (H+) in the sample solution.
10. What is the primary purpose of using ion chromatography in water sample analysis?
Ion chromatography is used to analyze ionic species such as anions (e.g., nitrate, sulfate, chloride)
and cations (e.g., metals) in water samples.
It helps quantify inorganic pollutants, nutrients, and electrolytes, providing valuable data for
environmental monitoring and water quality assessment.
11. How does a continuous emission monitoring system (CEMS) contribute to flue gas monitoring?
It continuously measures and records flue gas emissions from industrial sources such as power
plants and incinerators.
It provides real-time data on pollutant concentrations, flow rates, and temperature conditions.
12. How does a particulate matter monitor contribute to ambient air quality assessment?
A particulate matter monitor measures the concentration and size distribution of airborne particles
in the atmosphere.
It helps assess ambient air quality by quantifying levels of particulate pollution
13. List some Pollution Control methods and Technologies
Electrostatic precipitators
Electric Vehicles
Catalytic Converters
Fabric filters
Renewable energy sources