Redox Reactions in Environmental Engineering

Combustion Burning of fossil fuels or hydrocarbons is an example of redox reactions whereby excess carbon (in the form of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide) is released to the atmosphere, with a damaging effect on the environment. Therefore such a redox reaction is a cause of concern for environmental engineers. Photosynthesis Photosynthesis is the conversion of light to chemical energy by plants, is a form of oxidation-reduction reaction that produces two essentials of human life: oxygen and carbohydrates. Cellular respiration Respiration is an oxidation-reduction reaction in which living things break down molecules of food to produce energy, carbon dioxide, and water. This is a type of combustion reaction which is very important for life sustainability.

Fuel (H2-O2 fuel cells) Oxidation-reduction reactions fuel the most advanced form of transportation known today, the space shuttle. The actual orbiter vehicle is relatively small compared to its external power apparatus, which consists of two solid rocket boosters on either side, along with an external fuel tank. Reactions inside Body Enzymes in the human body regulate oxidation-reduction reactions. These complex proteins, act as catalysts, speeding up chemical processes in the body. Oxidation-reduction reactions also take place in the metabolism of food for energy, with substances in the food broken down into components the body can use.

Applications of CSTR in Environmental Engineering

Water and waste water treatment plants CSTR can be used to design efficient treatment plants like ASP (Activated Sludge Process) for treatment plant so that minimum retention time and maximum treatment is achieved using the plant. The number of plants to be employed, their volume, rate of flow is optimised for the designed treatment plant and mechanism for proper mixing is installed so that the treatment plant is maximum efficient. CSTR in a Lake System A lake can be an example of CSTR where it is assumed that pollutants dumped into the lake are rapidly mixed throughout the entire lake. Such a lake system can be modelled as a CSTR system with suitable assumptions. CSTR in Atmosphere Atmosphere can be thought of a CSTR, with gas and particulate emissions from different sources such as industries, vehicles, stoves etc. as pollutant inlet to the system. Atmospheric aerosols get mixed due to dispersion and inversion. These aerosols may settle down or react with each other to achieve a steady condition or ambient condition. Since proper mixing of pollutants does not take place in atmosphere, certain modifications to CSTR model will be required to properly use it for making atmospheric model.

Smarika Kulshrestha Roll No-133180002 M.Tech 1st Year

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