Air Pollution control by
equipmentsBCV755B HKBK College of Engineering Conservation of
Natural Resources 30, October 2025 dept of ECE 1HK22EC112
"Protecting the air is not a duty, it’s
a right we secure together."BCV755B
Introduction Air pollution is one of the major environmental issues caused by the release
of harmful gases, particles, and chemicals into the atmosphere. Rapid
industrialization, transportation, and urban activities have intensified this
problem. To combat it, various control equipments are used to minimize or
remove pollutants before they enter the air. These systems help maintain
clean air, protect human health, and preserve environmental balance.Air pollutants can be gases (CO, SO₂, NOₓ), particulates, or volatile
compounds.
Control equipment reduces or neutralizes these pollutants effectively.
Examples include scrubbers, filters, catalytic converters, and
electrostatic precipitators.
These include fine particulate matter
(PM2.5 & PM10), carbon dioxide (CO₂),
nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂),
and ozone (O₃), all of which affect air quality.
Common pollutants BCV755B
Major Causes
of Air Pollution
Events like volcanic
eruptions, wildfires, and
dust storms release
large amounts of
pollutants into the air.Natural sources
Vehicle emissions: Cars and trucks emit
CO₂ and NO₂.
Industrial processes: Factories release
chemicals and particulates.
Burning fossil fuels: Power generation and
heating release large volumes of CO₂.
Agriculture: Pesticide use and methane
emissions from livestock contribute
significantly.
Human activities
Need for Air Pollution
ControlBCV755B
Air Pollution Control Need for Prevents respiratory
diseases, heart
problems, and other
pollution-related
illnesses.
?????? Protect Human
Health:
Reduces acid rain,
smog formation, and
damage to vegetation
and water bodies.
?????? Environmental
Protection:
Ensures industries
follow emission
standards and operate
sustainably.
?????? Industrial Responsibility:
Reduces greenhouse
gas emissions
contributing to global
warming.
☁️ Climate Balance:
Saves healthcare costs,
improves productivity,
and prevents
environmental restoration
expenses.
?????? Economic Benefits:Air pollution poses a serious threat to human health, the environment, and
the economy. Controlling air pollution is essential to ensure a sustainable
future by minimizing harmful emissions and protecting life on Earth. Without
proper control measures, toxic pollutants can cause irreversible damage to
ecosystems and climate. BCV755B
Air Pollution Control
Equipment Overview
Air pollution control equipment is designed
to reduce, capture, or eliminate pollutants
emitted from industrial and vehicular
sources before they enter the atmosphere.
These devices play a crucial role in
maintaining air quality standards and
ensuring environmental safety.
Cyclone Separators
Baghouse Filters
Electrostatic
Precipitators (ESP)
Wet Scrubbers
Catalytic
Converters
Examples of Common
Equipment:BCV755B
Cyclone Separator A cyclone separator is a mechanical air pollution control device that
removes large dust particles from exhaust gases using centrifugal force. It
is widely used in industries with high particulate emissions.
Polluted air enters the cyclone chamber tangentially, creating a
spinning motion.
Heavier particles are thrown to the walls and fall into a collection
hopper.
Clean air exits from the top.
Applications : Used in cement, steel, woodworking, and power
generation industries for particulate control.BCV755B
fabric filter A fabric filter, also known as a baghouse, removes fine dust particles from
exhaust gases by passing them through fabric bags that trap particulate
matter.
Polluted air passes through fabric filter bags.
Dust particles are captured on the fabric surface, and clean air exits through
the outlet.
Periodic cleaning removes accumulated dust from the bags.
Widely used in cement, metal processing, and chemical industries for dust a
particulate removal.BCV755B
Electrostatic
Precipitator (ESP) An Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP) removes fine
particulate matter (PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀) from flue
gases using electrical forces rather than filters.
Polluted gas passes between electrically charged
plates.
Particles receive an electric charge from discharge
electrodes.
Charged particles migrate to collector plates and
are removed by mechanical rapping or washing.
Thermal power plants ,Cement and steel
industries, Pulp and paper millsBCV755B
Wet Scrubbers Wet scrubbers are air pollution control devices
that use liquid droplets (usually water) to capture
and remove gaseous pollutants and particulate
matter from exhaust streams.
Polluted gas passes through a scrubbing
liquid.
Pollutants are absorbed or trapped in liquid
droplets.
Clean gas exits while the contaminated liquid
is collected for treatment.
Applications: Chemical plants (acid gas
control),Waste incinerators, Metal processing
industriesBCV755B
Absorption Towers An Absorption Tower is an air pollution control device that removes
gaseous pollutants from industrial exhaust by transferring them into a
liquid absorbent through physical or chemical interaction.
Polluted gas enters the tower from the bottom, while an absorbent
liquid (such as water or an alkaline solution) is sprayed from the top.
As the gas rises and the liquid descends, intimate contact between
the two phases occurs through packing materials or trays.
Pollutant gases are absorbed or chemically reacted with the liquid.
The cleaned gas exits from the top of the tower, and the used liquid
(now containing absorbed pollutants) is collected at the bottom for
treatment or disposal.
Application: Used for removing acidic gases like SO₂, HCl, and NH₃ in
power plants and chemical industries.BCV755B
Catalytic Converters A catalytic converter is a pollution control device that reduces
harmful exhaust emissions from internal combustion engines by
catalyzing chemical reactions.
Works on oxidation and reduction reactions.
Harmful gases pass through a catalyst-coated honeycomb.
CO changes to CO₂, NOₓ changes to N₂, and hydrocarbons
change to CO₂ and H₂O.
Uses platinum, palladium, and rhodium as catalysts.
Used in automobiles and industrial engines to reduce harmful
exhaust gases like CO, NOₓ, and hydrocarbons before release
into the atmosphere.BCV755B
Biofilters and Bioreactors Biofilters and bioreactors are biological air pollution control systems that
use microorganisms to degrade and remove pollutants from contaminated
air streams.
Polluted air passes through a packed bed containing a moist layer of
microbial culture.
Microorganisms break down organic compounds (like VOCs and odors)
into harmless products such as CO₂ and water.
Bioreactors enhance this process by providing controlled conditions for
temperature, humidity, and nutrient supply.
Used for treating volatile organic compounds (VOCs), odorous
emissions, and organic vapors from food processing, wastewater
treatment plants, and chemical industriesBCV755B
Air Pollution Management examples Delhi:
Major Sources: Vehicular emissions, construction
dust, crop residue burning, and industrial waste.
Impact: Consistently ranks among the world’s
most polluted cities; severe smog episodes
reduce visibility and cause respiratory illnesses.
Control Measures & Equipment:
Installation of Electrostatic Precipitators
(ESPs) in power plants.
Catalytic Converters in vehicles (mandatory for
BS-VI engines).
Use of Wet Scrubbers and Filters in industries
to control particulate matter.BCV755B
Air Pollution Management examples Mumbai:
Major Sources: Vehicular emissions, port
activities, and industrial zones.
Impact: High levels of NOx and PM2.5; major
health issues in urban populations.
Control Measures & Equipment:
Adoption of Cyclone Separators and
Absorption Towers in refineries.
Biofilters for odor and gas treatment in waste
management facilities.
Promotion of electric vehicles and stricter
emission monitoring.BCV755B
Air Pollution Management examples Bangalore (Bengaluru):
Major Sources: Rapid urbanization, traffic congestion,
and construction dust.
Impact: Increase in fine particulate matter (PM2.5),
affecting air quality and public health.
Control Measures & Equipment:
Deployment of Fabric Filters and Wet Scrubbers in
industrial sectors.
Use of Catalytic Converters in vehicles and public
transport systems.
Implementation of Green buffers and Biofilters in
IT and manufacturing zones.
Smart city initiatives using IoT-based Air Quality
Monitoring to track emissions in real time.BCV755B
Conclusion
Effective air pollution control is essential to
protect human health, preserve the environment,
and ensure sustainable industrial growth.
Various control equipment — such as cyclone
separators, scrubbers, filters, adsorption systems,
and biofilters — play a crucial role in removing
pollutants before they reach the atmosphere.
By adopting advanced and eco-friendly
technologies, industries can significantly reduce
emissions, improve air quality, and contribute to a
cleaner and healthier future.BCV755B
Air pollution is a serious global
problem affecting health, the
environment, and the climate.
Governments, businesses, and
individuals must act together.
Collective effort needed
Let’s take a breath of clean air — and take steps
today to make that possible for tomorrow.BCV755B