Department of Biosystems Engineering The University of Manitoba

The University of Manitoba
Department of Biosystems Engineering
Course Number
BIOE 4460
Course Title
Air Pollution Assessment and Management
Academic Session
Winter 2011 (201110) Credit Hours 4
Prerequisites and how they apply to this course
No prerequisites are required, but the students should have a good understanding of fundamental concepts in fluid
mechanics by taking the co-requisites CIVL 2790 Fluid Mechanics (23.279) or MECH 2260 Introduction to Fluid
Mechanics (25.226).
Classroom Location
Meeting Days and Class Hours
E2-125 EITC
TT
8:30-9:50 am
Lab Location
Lab Hours
E2-36 5 EITC
M 2:30-5:30 pm
Department Office location
Department Phone Number
E2-376 EITC
474-6033
Course Web Page (if applicable)
Instructor Information
Name & Title
Office Location
Office Phone Number
Email Address
Office Hours
Dr. Qiang (Chong) Zhang, P.Eng. , Professor
E1-339 EITC
474-9819
[email protected]
Open door
Teaching Assistant(s) (if applicable)
None
TA Office Hours and Location
N/A
Course Philosophy
Students’ Learning Responsibilities
We expect you to be in attendance, and on time, for all scheduled lectures and labs. If you must be absent, please show us
the courtesy of sending an e-mail notifying us of your absence. Deadlines are a reality in the world of engineering; we
expect assignments to be completed on time. Finally, please respect both us as instructors and your classmates by turning
off your cell phone during class time. Laptops may be used during lectures only if you are taking notes on the laptop.
Why this course is useful?
Environmental engineering is a program option in the Biosystems Engineering undergraduate program, and air pollution
is one of the most important areas in environmental engineering. This course will prepare students in dealing with various
air pollution issues, including the transport of pollutants in the atmosphere, and design of systems for controlling
particulate and gaseous pollutants.
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Who should take this course?
This course is offered to students who are interested in environmental engineering.
How this course fits into the curriculum
This course is one of the design electives that students take in their final year. It is one of the courses in the design elective
package for the environmental engineering option.
Course Description/Objectives
Undergraduate Calendar Description
Air pollutant sources and characteristics, their impact on the environment, their behaviour in the atmosphere. Methods of
sampling and measurement and the basic technological alternatives available for separation/removal and control.
Particular problems of regional interest are discussed.
Instructional Methods
Learning is most effective when both the teacher and the student are engaged in the subject material. The role of the
teacher, therefore, is to create an environment that facilitates student engagement (and therefore learning). In this course,
dissemination of fundamental knowledge will occur using the traditional lecture format. However, students will be
exposed to the real-world air pollution issues through site visits and guest speakers. They will also learn sampling and
measurement methods through conducting physical lab tests.
Course Objectives
The intent of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the engineering principles of air pollution control
and the process of designing/selecting air pollution control systems.
Learning outcomes
At the conclusion of the course, the student should be able to:
- Interpret air pollution related regulations (local, national, and international)
- understand the mechanisms of pollutant transport/dispersion in the atmosphere
- use air dispersion models to predict pollution impact
- use sampling methods for air sampling
- design/select systems for controlling particulate pollutants
- design/select systems for controlling gaseous pollutants
Grade Evaluation
The basis for evaluation is established by agreement at the beginning of each term. Typical weights assigned to various
components of the work are:
Final examination
Midterm examination
Lab reports and assignments
Design project
50%
20%
10%
20%
____________%
____________%
____________%
____________%
Assignment Due Dates
The assignment is normally due one week after assigned to you.
Important Dates (e.g., voluntary withdrawal date)
Voluntary withdrawal date
Midterm examination
Project presentation
March 18, 2011
________, 2011
April 7, 2011
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Description of Assignments
There will be five (5) assignments to help you digest the content of important topics. A brief report will be required for
each site visit to summarize your observations. A report will be submitted as part of your design project. The project
report will include the following elements: defining the system; design data; system design; economics; and limitations
and recommendations.
Description of Examinations
There will one (1) midterm examination and one (1) final examination in this course. The midterm examination will be
scheduled during a regular lab period before the VW deadline. The final examination will be based on 80% of the
materials covered after the midterm and 20% before the midterm. The examinations will be closed book, and a formula
sheet will be provided to you.
Texts, Readings, Materials
Textbook(s) – None
Supplementary Reading
1. De Nevers, N. 2000. Air Pollution Control Engineering, 2nd ed., McGraw-Hill.
2. Wark, K., C.F. Warner and W.T. Davis. 1998. Air Pollution, Its Origin and Control. Addison Wesley Longman
Publishing Company.
Additional Materials
Lecture notes will be posted on JUMP for download.
Course Policies
Late Assignments
Assignments submitted after the due date will be docked 10% per school day.
Missed Assignments
Will receive a zero grade.
Missed Examinations
If the midterm examination is missed and the student has a valid medical certificate or compassionate reason (i.e., death of
an immediate family member), a make-up midterm examination will be scheduled by the course instructor, or the weight
of midterm will be added to the final examination. Students who miss the midterm examination without a valid reason
will receive a grade of zero for the midterm examination.
Academic Integrity
Plagiarism or any other form of cheating in examinations, term tests or academic work is subject to serious academic
penalty. Cheating in examinations or tests may take the form of copying from another student or bringing unauthorized
materials into the exam room. Exam cheating can also include exam impersonation. A student found guilty of contributing
to cheating in examinations or term assignments is also subject to serious academic penalty. Students should acquaint
themselves with the University’s policy on plagiarism, cheating, exam impersonation and duplicate submission.
Group Work Policies:
You will be required to work in teams to complete the design project, and everyone in a team must contribute equally to
the project.
Additional Policies: None
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Course Content
1. Introduction (2 h)
1.1. sources of pollution
1.2. effects of pollution
1.3. laws and regulations
2. Dispersion of pollutants in atmosphere (8 h)
2.1. atmospheric motions
2.2. atmospheric stability
2.3. Gaussian plume and dispersion models
2.4. other dispersion models
3. Particulate pollutants (10 h)
3.1. behavior of particulate pollutants
3.2. sampling of particulate pollutants
3.3. design of control systems
4. Gaseous pollutants (gases and vapors) (15 h)
4.1. environmental malodors
4.1.1. measuring odours
4.1.2. odour dispersion
4.1.3. odour control
4.2. VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
4.2.1. characteristics of VOCs
4.2.2. design of control systems
5. GHG and climate change (3 h)
Laboratory: two hours per week for one term
Topics:
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•
•
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Facility tours
Guest speakers
Odour measurement
Dispersion models
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