OFFICIAL (CLOSED) \ NON-SENSITIVE

A334 Pollution Control and Monitoring Activity Owner: Ishir Lim

Module Chair: Magdalene Tan Updated by: Magdalene Tan
Approved By: Laura Yap (Dr)

Republic Polytechnic
A334 Pollution Control and Monitoring
Problem 04: Urban Particulate Matter Pollution (I)
Practice Questions

1. Determine the settling rate of a fog cloud composed of particles in air at 27ºC
with (a) a radius of 1 µm (b) a diameter of 3.5 x 10 -3 cm.
Viscosity of air at 27ºC = 1.85 x 10-5 N.s/m2 = 1.85 x 10-5 kg/m.s.
ρ of particle = 2000 kg/m3 (done by Faiza)

a) 9.81 * (2*10^-6)^2 * (2000-1.20)/18*1.8*10^-5

= 2.42x10^-4 m/s

b) change the diameter from cm -> m

3.5x10^-3 ---> 3.50x10^-5

9.81x(3.50x10^-5)^2 * (2000-1.20)/18x 1.8x10^-5

= 0.0721
= 7.21 X 10^-2 m/s

2. Two groups of particles are suspended in the air as haze. One group has the
average size of 1µm and the other has an average size of 2.5µm. Which group
would remain in the air for a longer period of time? Support your reasons with
calculations. (Done by Tor :D )

Which group of particles are more harmful?

1µm is more harmful than 2.5µm as it remains in air for a longer period of time
due to 1µm being smaller than 2.5µm.

(Stokes’ Law is given by )

where g is the gravitational acceleration (= 9.81 m/s 2), D is the diameter of

particle, ρ of particle = 2000 kg/m 3, ρ of air = 1.20 kg/m 3, and µ is the viscosity of
air (= 1.8 x10-5 kg/m.s)
1µm SV → 9.81 x (1 x 10^-6)^2 x (2000 - 1.2 / 18 x 1.8 x10^-5) = 6.05 x10^-5 m/s
2.5µm SV → 9.81 x (2.5x10^-6)^2 x (2000 - 1.2/ 18 x 1.8x10^-5) = 3.78 x 10^-4 m/s

Since 1µm has a smaller settling velocity than 2.5µm, this shows that 1µm is smaller
in size than 2.5µm thus 1µm will stay longer in air compared to 2.5µm. Which is
more harmful due to 1µm group lingering in air causing animals or humans to take in
the particulate matter which can cause respiratory issues like lung problems.

3. Why are particles that are smaller than 10 microns in size more of a health
hazard than those larger than 10 microns? (Done by Nayli :D )

Copyright © 2021 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

 OFFICIAL (CLOSED) \ NON-SENSITIVE

A334 Pollution Control and Monitoring Activity Owner: Ishir Lim

Module Chair: Magdalene Tan Updated by: Magdalene Tan
Approved By: Laura Yap (Dr)
Particles that are smaller than 10 microns can make it all the way to the lungs.
When air gets to the alveolar region (lower lung region), the air has slowed down
even more which is more dangerous. These small particles are difficult to expel
from the lungs, causing lung problems and contain toxic material. They can also
be transfused through the bloodstream. Since the surface area to volume ratio is
bigger for the smaller particles, the chemical constituents on the surface of small
particles can easily react with the cells.

4. Explain how the haze that is sometimes seen in Singapore can be from:

a) An anthropogenic pollution source. (Done by Earlwin)

Haze seen in Singapore mostly comes from transboundary haze from
deforestation in Sumatra, Indonesia via burning of trees. It also comes from
burning of fossil fuels in power stations and incomplete combustion in vehicles
on the road. Burning of trees releases carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide,
particulate matter such as soot and dust, and smoke, which are all
constituents of haze. Burning of fossil fuels and incomplete combustion
releases air pollutants such as ozone, oxides of nitrogen, sulfur dioxide which
are also constituents of haze.

b) A natural pollution source

Particulate matter such as dust can be emitted from natural sources wind
blown dust from wind erosion whereby winds cause soil to move from one
place to another, causing an accumulation of particulate matter in soil such as
dust when blown by wind. Another natural source is volcanic eruptions, which
release constituents of haze such as dust particles, nitrogen oxides are then
also blown by winds from Indonesia to Singapore for example, causing a
natural source of haze in Singapore, leading to a rise in PSI levels too.

5. Does Stokes’ Law hold for all particle sizes? (Faiza)

No, Stokes’ Law does not hold for all particle sizes as if smaller particle (smaller
than 0.2 micron) size may or may not be accurate.using too large particle
diameter (0.2mm) will cause the settler unt to become unreasonably small.

6. What is the common working principle behind gravity settlers, cyclone separators
and electrostatic precipitators in removing particulate matter? Which of the three
is the most effective in removal efficiency?(Liang Xuan)
For gravity settlers:It is a long chamber in which particles pass slowly; allowing time for
the particles to settle by gravity at the bottom.

For cyclone separators:Gas enters through a rectangular inlet and gas spirals around the
outer part of the cylindrical body, leaving through the top of the outlet. While this is
ongoing, particles are driven to the wall by centrifugal force, where they collect, attached
to each other an form large agglomerates that slides down the wall due to gravity and
collected in dust hopper at bottom
For electrostatic precipitators:Give the particles an electrostatic charge and put them in
an electrostatic field that drives them to a collecting wall

I think the electrostatic precipitators is the most effective in removal efficiency.

Copyright © 2021 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

 OFFICIAL (CLOSED) \ NON-SENSITIVE

A334 Pollution Control and Monitoring Activity Owner: Ishir Lim

Module Chair: Magdalene Tan Updated by: Magdalene Tan
Approved By: Laura Yap (Dr)
Reason:The electrostatic precipitators is more effective on smaller particles and
can operate at high temperatures and high pressure or under vacuum.Hence I
think electrostatic precipitators is most effective in removal efficiency

Copyright © 2021 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore