Ocean Thermal Energy

• Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is a process that can produce electricity
by using the temperature difference between deep cold ocean water and warm
tropical surface waters. OTEC plants pump large quantities of deep cold seawater
and surface seawater to run a power cycle and produce electricity. OTEC is firm
power (24/7), a clean energy source, environmentally sustainable and capable of
providing massive levels of energy.
• Recently, higher electricity costs, increased concerns for global warming, and a
political commitment to energy security have made initial OTEC commercialization
economically attractive in tropical island communities where a high percentage of
electricity production is oil based
• India is geographically well-placed to generate ocean thermal energy, with around
2000 kms of coast length along the South Indian coast, where a temperature
difference of above 20oC is available throughout the year. ... OTEC is capital
intensive and is economical only at very large scales.
Types of Air Pollutants
• Primary Pollutants
A primary pollutant can be defined as a harmful chemical that directly enters the air as a result of either natural or man-made activities.
i. Oxides of carbon: Carbon monoxide: It is a colourless, odourless, non-irritating but very poisonous gas. It is a product by incomplete
combustion of fuel such as natural gas, coal or wood. Vehicular exhaust is a major source of carbon monoxide. iv. Carbon dioxide (CO2):
Its a greenhouse gas emitted from combustion. It is natural gas in the atmosphere.
ii. Nitrogen oxides: Especially nitrogen dioxide is emitted from high-temperature combustion. Nitrogen dioxide is the chemical compound
with the formula N02. It is responsible for photochemical smog, acid rain etc
iii. Hydrocarbon: VOCs are an important outdoor air pollutant. In this field they are often divided into the separate categories of methane
(CH4) and non-methane (NMVOCs). Methane is an extremely efficient greenhouse gas that contributes to enhanced global warming.
Other hydrocarbon VOCs are also significant greenhouse gases via their role in creating ozone and in prolonging the life of methane in
the atmosphere, although the effect varies depending on local air quality. Within the NMVOCs, the aromatic compounds benzene,
toluene and xylene are suspected carcinogens and may lead to leukaemia through prolonged exposure. 1, 3-butadiene is another
dangerous compound which is often associated with industrial uses.
iv. Sulphur oxides: Sulphur oxides (SOx): SO2 is produced by volcanoes and in various industrial processes. Since coal and petroleum often
contain sulphur compounds, their combustion generates sulphur dioxide. Further oxidation of SO2, usually in the presence of a catalyst
such as NO2, forms H2SO4, and thus acid rain. This is one of the causes for concern over the environmental impact of the use of these
fuels as power sources.
v. Particulate Matter: Particulates alternatively referred to as particulate matter (PM) or fine particles, are tiny particles of solid or liquid
suspended in a gas. In contrast, aerosol refers to particles and the gas together. Sources of particulate matter can be manmade or
natural. Some particulates occur naturally, originating from volcanoes, dust storms, forest and grassland fires, living vegetation, and sea
spray. Human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels in vehicles, power plants and various industrial processes also generate
significant amounts of aerosols.
Secondary Pollutants
Secondary pollutants are formed by primary pollutants through their
reaction with normal atmospheric compounds

• Ozone (O3): Ozone is a secondary pollutant formed by photochemical reaction between primary
pollutants and natural atmospheric gas. Ozone affects the respiratory and nervous system.
• Sulfuric acid and nitric acid (component of acid rain): Acid rain forms when water in the air
combines with nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide (two types of pollutants) and then falls down the
surface of the Earth. It has many damaging effects on vegetation, lakes, fish, buildings and other
structures.
• Smog: When ultraviolet light from the sun reacts with nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere,
photochemical smog is produced.
• Particulate matter: Particulate matter or simply PM is a combination of solid particles and liquid
droplets that can be found in the air. PM contains hazardous elements such as arsenic, beryllium,
cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, and nickel. PM causes significant health problems in humans
• Peroxyacyl nitrates (PANs): It is produced in the atmosphere when oxidized volatile organic
compounds combine with nitrogen oxide. It is a component of photochemical smog.
Air Quality Control Technique
Following measures have been suggested to control air pollution- Common air pollution control technologies:
(i) Some gases, which are more soluble in a particular liquid than air, •Cyclones.
for example, ammonia in water, can be separated by dissolving in it •Scrubbers.
(ii) Particles larger than 50 mm are separated in gravity settling tanks. •Settling chambers
Using cyclone collectors or electrostatic precipitators separates fine • Filters.
particles. •Absorption.
(iii) The height of chimneys should be increased to the highest possible •Electrostatic precipitation.
level to reduce pollution at the ground level. •Adsorption
(iv) SO2 pollution can be controlled by extracting sulphur from the fuel •Combustion.
before use.
(v) Pollution control laws should be enforced strictly.
(vi) Trees should be planted on the roadside, riverbanks, parks and
open places as they keep the environment fresh.
Air Pollution Control Technique
Air pollution control devices control the amount of particulate matter escaping into the environment and devices
that control acidic gas emissions.
Electrostatic precipitator is a type of filter that uses static electricity to remove soot and ash from exhaust fumes
before they exit the smokestacks. Unburned particles of carbon in smoke are pulled out of the smoke by using
static electricity in the precipitators, leaving clean, hot air to escape the smokestacksIt is vit al to remove this
unreacted carbon from the smoke, as it can damage buildings and harm human health - especially respiratory
health.
Cyclone separator is a separation device that uses the principle of inertia to remove particulate matter from
flue gases. In these separators, dirty flue gas enters a chamber containing a vortex, similar to a tornado.
Because of the difference in inertia of gas particles and larger particulate matter, the gas particles move up the
cylinder while larger particles hit the inside wall and drop down. This separates the particulate matter from the
flue gas, leaving cleaned flue gas.
Air Pollution Control Technique
Fabric Filters : This method simply uses some sort of fabric like glass fibre - fabric bag would allow dust to
make its way through the fabric bag so that flue gasses must pass through it before exiting the
smokestacks. When the gas passes through, dust particles are trapped in the cloth.
Incineration
Incineration is used to convert VOC emissions into carbon dioxide and water through combustion. The
incineration generally takes place in a specialized piece of equipment known as an afterburner, which is built to
create the conditions necessary for complete combustion (such as sufficient burn time and a high
temperature).Additionally, the incinerated gas must be mixed to ensure complete combustion.
Scrubber are a type of system that is used to remove harmful materials from industrial exhaust gases before
they are released into the environment. These pollutants are generally gaseous, and when scrubbers are used
to specifically remove SOx it is referred to as flue gas desulfurization. There are two main types of
scrubbers, wet scrubbers and dry scrubbers. The main difference is in the type of material used to remove
the gases. By removing acidic gases from the exhaust before it is released into the sky, scrubbers help prevent
 Waste Water Treatment
• Purpose of waste water treatment is removal of contaminants either to reuse or to make it acceptable to be discharged into
river , streams , lakes and sea .For that the treated water have to meet the acceptability criteria standard fixed by statutory
bodies .

• The effluent or waste water is referred as Sewage . Sewage is an effluent water generated from a community, containing
solid and liquid excreta, derived from houses, streets, factories and industries. Sewage contains 99water and rest being 0.1
percent solids (partly organic and partly inorganic) impurities in dissolved , suspended or colloidal form . It can be divided
into 4 categories :

1.Domestic Sewage 2.Industrial sewage 3. Storm Water : Rain water flowing as run off water

4. Combined Sewage : combination of domestic , industrial and storm water

• The strength of the sewage may be expressed in terms of:
❖ Dissolved Oxygen :
❖ Biochemical oxygen demand: The amount of oxygen absorbed by a sample of sewage during a specified period (generally 5 days) at a specified temperature
(usually 20°C) for aerobic digestion . Sewage with a BOD value of: 300 mg/l (300 ppm) or above is termed as strong . BOD is used to test the strength of
untreated and treated municipal and biodegradable industrial waste waters
❖ Chemical oxygen demand : The amount of oxygen required to oxidize the organic matter by use of dichromate in an acid solution and to convert it to carbon
dioxide and water. The value of COD is always higher than the BOD
❖ Suspended solids : If the suspended solids are 500 mg/l or more, it is termed strong.
❖ Dissolved CO2
❖ Dissolved Chlorine
 Water Treatment Process
The sewage goes through many stages of water treatment
• Primary treatment : The first stage is the physical treatment to remove
solids (from the liquid).
• Secondary treatment :The primary treatment is followed by biological
treatment brought about by aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.
• Tertiary treatment : Treatment rendered in addition to the
conventional secondary treatment for improving further the quality of
effluent is termed ‘tertiary treatment’ or advanced waste water
treatment process .
Primary method of Treatment

• It is the first step in the sewage treatment for removing the larger
solids.
• The raw sewage is passed through bar‐screens with openings of 8 to 10
cm between the bars placed across the inflow channels.
• (b) Grit removal : Combined sewerage systems carry grit from roads or
other debris. The sewage is allowed to flow in a channel at a controlled
velocity of about 30 cm/s.
• The grit is removed periodically, washed free of organic matter and
used for land filling , road making and sludge drying bed .
Secondary Method of Treatment
Secondary Treatment
The secondary or biological treatment of
• Trickling
Trickling Filter Filter
sewage •essentially
. involves the oxidation of
suspended and dissolved organic matter by
aerobic bacteria.
• Carbonaceous matter is converted to carbon
dioxide and water.
• Nitrogenous material is converted to
ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates.
• Fungi, algae, protozoa, insects and worms
supplement the bacterial digestion.
• Anaerobic digestion of sludge takes place .
• Secondary treatment removes 85 to 95
percent of BOD and TSS and minor portions
of nitrogen, phosphorus, and heavy metals
The main processes employed for biological
treatment are as follows .
Trickling Filter

• Thickness of slime layer increases and it get detached from the

surface of stones , it is carried with the effluent and settle down in the
form of humous .This humous is pumped into sludge digestion unit .
• Percolation is followed by final settling into secondary sedimentation
or humus tanks to remove the particles of the zoogleal matter and
innocuous debris.
• It is simple to operate , doesn’t require much monitoring and can
produce BOD removal from 65 to85
• Used for treatment of industrial waste water from Dairy , brewery,
food , pharmaceutical industries .
Activated sludge process
.
• It is an alternative to the percolating or trickling
filter method. In this method mixture of waste The activated sludge method is a more efficient than trickling
water and activated sludge is agitated and aerated filter method.
.The activated sludge is biologically active because it
is heavily laden with microorganisms which are in • Activated sludge plant occupies one tenth of the space
active state of growth. occupied by a trickling filter and is also faster. This however is
• Principle : The principle is to add sufficient quantity costlier to install and run. It is best suited for large towns.
of sludge obtained from the final sedimentation
tank to sewage that is to be treated .Activated
sludge contains active aerobic bacteria vital for
decomposition of sewage.
• This mixture is mechanically aerated in an aeration
tank to facilitate bacterial decomposition.
• In the presence of ample oxygen the aerobic
bacteria utilize the raw sewage and convert it into
stabilized, odourless compounds. Process :
• The process requires air supply and thorough mixing
which brings about an intimate contact of the
organic solids with oxygen and aerobic bacteria
Methods of waste disposal:
• Open Dumping :
• Cheapest method as no planning required .The process practiced extensively in India till few
years back .An open dumping is defined as the process in which solid wastes are disposed of
in a manner that does not protect the environment, are susceptible to open burning, and are
exposed to the elements, vectors, and scavengers. Open dumping has been prohibited by
municipality now and no longer practiced in developed countries .
• Sanitary Landfill :
• Sanitary landfills are a method of waste disposal where the waste is buried underground in
large piles. This method of waste disposal is controlled and monitored very closely.
• For sanitary landfills, the process starts by digging a large hole in the ground( as deep as 500
feet) that is then lined with thick plastic (normally 2-4 feet thick) and a layer of impervious
clay.
• The bottom of the landfill is also lined with a network of plumbing that functions as a
collection system for any liquids (Leachate ) and gas. Leachates is the term used to describe
liquids that leach or leak from the landfill, and this system collects the leachates. These
components of the sanitary landfill help prevent materials ,liquids and gas from spreading to
the surrounding ground and waterways. In modern landfilling system methane can be
converted into into power using gas extraction wells that pipe it to plants tha can turn it into
electricity
Sanitary Landfill
• Once the landfill is set up, waste can then
be added to the landfill. Instead of simply
filling the landfill completely with waste, the
landfill is organized in layers. The layers
alternate between waste and soil. This
alternation of materials reduces odors and
allows for more rapid decomposition, which
is the breakdown of materials.
• When a landfill is full, it is sealed and
covered in a thick layer of clay. Once the
landfill has been evaluated and considered
safe, it can be converted into a park or open
space for human use .It can then be turned
into a location for recreation and fun.
Concerns related to Sanitary Landfill
• When sanitary landfills is compared to the previous waste disposal method of open-air piles,
the sanitary landfills are definitely better but there are still many issues and concerns
associated with it .
• The largest issue associated with sanitary landfills is the risk of pollution. As waste breaks down,
methane gas is created, and if it escapes from the landfill, it could pollute the air. In addition,
methane gas can be dangerous if it builds up in the landfill because it is flammable and could be
explosive.
• Along with air pollution, sanitary landfills also pose a threat to water systems. If the lining of the
landfill is punctured or the collection system breaks, leachates could travel from the landfill to
the surrounding ground and contaminate the groundwater.
• Another issue with sanitary landfills is their location., they are placed far away from cities and
residential areas. Although the distant location of landfills is desirable to people, it causes
several problems associated with transporting the waste. The increased transportation results
in more air pollution from gas consumption and noise pollution from trucks.
• There is also concern that, due to the design of sanitary landfills, the rate of decomposition will
be slow and potentially incomplete. landfills may not be safe idea because, as the waste
decomposes or settles, the land could shift, causing unstable ground.
Incineration
• It is the process of burning municipal solid waste
and hazardous waste specifically hospital waste in
a properly designed furnace under suitable
temperature and operating conditions. It reduces
the hazardous / municipal solid waste by about
90% and 75% by weight.
• The technique of incineration revolves around
controlled burning of the waste. It helps in
reducing the volume of waste and saves a great
amount of space in the landfills. Burning the
municipal solid / hazardous waste releases some
harmful gases that might affect the quality of air.
At the end of the process , tons of toxic ash (left in
furnace) and fly ash ( ash which floats out in air) is
left behind. It contains high concentration of
heavy metals and dioxins . It is finally buried in
landfill with precaution .
Incineration
• The process can be made more effective with the use of filters and
scrubbers, Scrubbers use liquid for lessening the acidic content of the
gases, while the filters prevent the burning ash from entering the
atmosphere. Combustion reduces the toxicity of the waste materials to
greater extent . If properly equipped, an incinerator is also capable of
converting water into steam, which, in turn, can be used to generate
power.
Demerits:
• Burning trash releases dioxin, lead, and mercury (in many areas,
incinerators are the largest sources of these pollutants
• Cost of incinerators : are often two to three times higher than
comparable recycling or composting costs.
Waste Management hierarchy

• The waste management hierarchy can be divided into four parts, also known as
the Four R's: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
Refuse/source reduction : Cut down the waste simply by refusing to buy single-
use plastics.
Reduce: Part of throwing away less is buying less, and being more mindful as a
consumer.
Reuse: Before tossing out your trash, consider whether it can be repurposed as
something else. For eg Turn single-use plastics into ecobricks
Recycle : After refusing, reducing, and reusing, recycling is the last resort in the
waste management hierarchy.
 Soil Pollution
❑ . Soil Pollution is gradually becoming a major
challenge that we need to overcome to establish
a healthy environment. Soil contamination
occurs either because of human activities or
because of natural phenomena.

❑ Soil pollution is defined as the presence of toxic

chemicals (pollutants or contaminants) in the
soil, in very high concentrations to pose a risk to
human health and the ecosystem. For example,
exposure to soil containing high concentrations
of benzene can increase the risk of leukaemia.