Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
control NPS pollution. For example, automobile emissions depend on the quantity and
quality of the fuels that are used in cars. Thus, to increase the quality of the fuels is a
promising way to control the NPS pollution.
Applications of nanomaterials in environmental protection have created
conditions to improve the environment and control pollution, which will bring
breakthrough progress to environmental science and engineering (Fryxell and Cao,
2007). Using nanomaterials to reduce environmental burden, treat industrial and
agricultural wastes, and control nonpoint source (NPS) pollution will also become an
inexorable trend in the future. This is because nanomaterials have enhanced structural,
magnetic, electrical, and optical properties; they have great potential to replace existing
materials for developing green processes (Masciangioli and Zhang, 2003). Because of
their superior properties, lower quantities of nanomaterials will be used, which will not
only lower costs but also generate reduced environmental wastes.
In this chapter, we will take a look at applications of nanomaterials in the green
process and engineering, control of process emissions, treatments of industrial and
agricultural wastes, improvement of fuels quality, and air/water quality control.
14.2.1 The Green Process and Engineering
Pollution prevention refers to source reduction and other practices that efficiently
use raw materials, energy, water, or other resources to reduce or eliminate creation of
waste. Green process and engineering refers to measures to eliminate the environmental
burden in such areas as resources input, chemical substance use and energy consumption
to the greatest extent possible from all the processes involved in manufacturing the
products (Brennecke and Allen, 2002; Pokhodenko and Pavlishchuk, 2002).
Nanomaterials can play a key role in the green process and engineering by material
substitution, energy consumption reduction, source saving and sustainable development
(Anastas, and Zimmerman, 2003). The use of nanomaterials can lead to significant
savings in resources and increases of efficiency in manufacturing and energy related
applications. It's also very promising for improving the environment by reducing wastes
and consumption of non-renewable natural resources, and cleaning up existing pollution
(Masciangioli and Zhang, 2003).
Hazardous materials in manufacturing can be replaced by nanomaterials with
less toxicity and better performance that are designed for specific, targeted functions
resulting in reduced production of wastes. For example, nano-structured catalysts make
chemical manufacturing more efficient and more environmentally benign by providing
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