IIT-Delhi scientists develop autos that run on hydrogen; cause negligible pollution

It’s the main fuel of NASA’s space shuttle launchers and will now power a test fleet of autos in the city. Hydrogen, so far used terrestrially in some avant-garde customized cars and experimental bus fleets, will run 15 auto rickshaws developed as part of an IIT-Delhi project.But unlike London’s hydrogen buses and California’s Hydrogen Highway project that use complicated fuel-cell technology, the Delhi autos will be built around cheaper internal combustion engines.

Professor LM Das of IIT-D, who has perfected the technology, explains the rationale for hydrogen power: “Hydrogen is like a slightly temperamental child. You need to tame it. Once controlled, it can be much more efficient than even compressed natural gas (CNG)”.

Das says he conceived the idea of using compressed hydrogen as an automotive fuel with Delhi’s air pollution in mind. In the early ’80s, it was a bold initiative – an idea ahead of its time. Lay acquaintances thought he was talking about making a hydrogen bomb. Detractors in the scientific community dismissed his research as a freak project.

But Das soldiered on alone over the next three decades as associates came and went. “No one can turn a blind eye to the environmental degradation caused by vehicles. In fact, before CNG came, Delhi had become unlivable.

So, despite all the criticism that my research was too futuristic, I pursued it. Now the world knows that aggressive steps are required to mitigate the environmental damage that has been done,” he says.Unlike petroleum-derived hydrocarbon fuels, pure hydrogen does not produce toxic carbon monoxide or the heat-trapping carbon dioxide on combustion. There are no oxides of sulphur, nor any particulates.

Water vapour and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) are the only byproducts. Although NOx is a pollutant, Das claims their engine has been optimized to reduce its emission greatly. “We got the best efficiency and very low emissions,” he says.As a member of the government-appointed core group on automotive research, Das had worked on a hydrogen fuel assignment from United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the International Centre for Hydrogen Energy Technologies (UNIDO-ICHET) based in Istanbul, in 2006.

Over the next three years, the engines were developed at IIT. A conventional CNG engine was used with modifications for compressed hydrogen gas.

While the project at IIT-D’s Department of Energy Studies resembled a turnstile, one man alone stayed on with Das – lab technician GP Singh.

The 14-member team stabilized after the project was officially taken over by automobile firm Mahindra that has built up a strong presence in alternative energy with hybrid and electric vehicles.

The new system was implemented on autos provided by the company and trials were done inside the IIT campus.

Apart from developing the autos – branded Mahindra HyAlfa and shown to the public at last month’s Auto Expo – Das’ team is also working on two hydrogen-fuelled minibuses with a 2014 deadline.

Senior project scientist , GP Subhash, who quit his job at the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies to join Das, says the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is keen on developing a hydrogen-run minibus.

“The Rs 15-crore project aims to develop two mini buses by 2014. The idea will take some time to be part of our daily lives. But we are at it to prove the efficiency of hydrogen fuel,” he says.

Meanwhile, the HyAlfa, which resembles Mahindra’s Alfa autos commonly seen in NCR towns, awaits its commercial launch and will be the first mass-produced hydrogen-run internal combustion engine vehicle in the world.

The higher price of the modified engine and fuel system is a challenge, though, for its target market. The economics of running these autos in Delhi is yet to be worked out. But Das, Subhash and their team are looking forward to the day when the technology will become an example for the world and give Delhiites a chance to have a smooth ride with less noise and smoke.

Long term Air Pollution can cause brain damage

Long-term exposure to air pollution could damage the brain and cause depression, besides triggering learning and memory problems.

Mice tests showed that, in the long term, dirty air could cause actual physical changes to the brain which results in negative effects.

While other studies have looked at the impact of polluted air on heart and lungs, this is one of the first to look at the effect on the brain, said doctoral student Laura Fonken from the Ohio State University who led the study.

“The results suggest that prolonged exposure to polluted air can have visible, negative effects on the brain which can lead to a variety of health problems,” she said, reports the journal Molecular Psychiatry.

“This could have important and troubling implications for people who live and work in polluted urban areas around the world,” Fonken added, according to the Telegraph.

Fonken and her colleagues at Ohio State exposed mice to either filtered air or polluted air six hours a day, five days a week for almost half their lifespan which was 10 months.

After 10 months of exposure, behavioural tests were carried out on the rodents, including a learning and memory test.

After five days of training they were placed on a brightly lit area and given two minutes to find the dark escape hole where they would be more comfortable.

The mice which breathed the polluted air took longer to learn where the escape hole was and at later tests they were more likely to forget where it was.

In another experiment, mice exposed to the polluted air showed more depressive-like and higher levels of anxiety-like behaviours in one test, but not in another.

Effects of Water Pollution & Solutions

The effects of water pollution strongly impact the balance of nature, which ultimately impacts all humans. With proper care and consideration, many of the situations that cause water pollution can be stopped or decreased.

Types of Water Pollution

Without getting too technical, water pollution is a result of various things, but usually leads back to these sources:

• Industry
  
• Agriculture
  
• Homes
  

Man-made situations are typically the causes of water pollution. Often, it’s unintended and unknown that actions are contributing to water pollution. Many times it’s the last thought on someone’s mind that their actions could significantly impact the environment locally and beyond.

Ways Water is Polluted

Industry

There are three main ways that industries contribute to water pollution. They pollute by disposing of waste directly into waterways, emitting toxic gases that cause acid rain and changing the temperature of water with their disposals into waterways.

• Direct disposal of waste into natural waterways causes waste to build up within the water. A pungent odor is the result. Additionally, this waste decreases the amount of oxygen in water, causing the death of aquatic animals or other organisms.
  
• The emission of toxic fumes into the air causes acid rain. When the acid rain falls, it contaminates local natural waterways including streams, rivers and lakes. This causes the death of many aquatic animals. Other animals drinking the water may become ill and die, too.
  
• Thermal pollution occurs when water used to cool hot machinery is released into waterways and the temperature of the water is drastically increased. This temperature change may cause aquatic life to die and numbers to be reduced. Additionally, such a temperature increase decreases the amount of oxygen in water, causing more of a chance of death to organisms.
  

Agriculture

It’s common for farmers to use fertilizers and other chemicals on their crops to help them grow. However, these chemicals and nutrients added to the soil can soak into the underground water supplies. Additionally, when it rains, these chemicals join the run-off water and flow into streams, rivers and lakes, thus polluting them. Even just the sediments of dirt, without any chemicals, are pollutants in the fact that they cause the waterways to become cloudy and muddy.

Homes

Households are a leading cause of water pollution by the trash they create. Even if taken to landfills, often this trash finds its way to natural waterways. Human waste, disposed of typically by sewers, pollute water. Any time a septic system is not installed properly or bursts beneath the ground, the underground water supply may be polluted. Oils and anti-freeze leaked from vehicles pollute water.

Effects of Water Pollution

There are various effects of water pollution.

• Spread of disease: Drinking polluted water can cause cholera or typhoid infections, along with diarrhea.
  
• Affects body organs: The consumption of highly contaminated water can cause injury to the heart and kidneys.
  
• Harms the food chain: Toxins within water can harm aquatic organisms, thus breaking a link in the food chain.
  
• Causes algae in water: Urea, animal manure and vegetable peelings are food for algae. Algae grow according to how much waste is in a water source. Bacteria feed off the algae, decreasing the amount of oxygen in the water. The decreased oxygen causes harm to other organisms living in the water.
  
• Flooding: The erosion of soil into waterways causes flooding, especially with heavy rainfall.
  
• Harms animals: Birds that get into oil-contaminated water die from exposure to cold water and air due to feather damage. Other animals are affected when they eat dead fish in contaminated streams.
  

The effects of water pollution are not always immediate. They are not always seen at the point of contamination. They are sometimes never known by the person responsible for the pollution. However, water pollution has a huge impact on our lives. With knowledge, consideration and preparation, water pollution can be decreased. It doesn’t take much effort — just a little thought.

Water Pollution Solutions

Water pollution is growing daily around the world, but so are water pollution solutions. Find out what you can do to combat water pollution in your area.

Water Pollution

Water covers more than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface. While less than 3 percent of this water is drinkable, all of it is necessary for supporting life on Earth. Water pollution is one of the biggest threats to the environment today.

There are several types of water pollution ranging from sewage and fertilizers to soil erosion. The impact of water pollution on aquatic life and land life can be devastating. Effects of water pollution can include:

• Overgrowth of algae and surface life, leading to loss of light and nutrients to deep aquatic life
  
• Suffocation of aquatic life through sediment and loss of water depth
  
• Disruption of the food chain
  
• Spread of water-borne illnesses such as dysentery or typhoid
  

Water Pollution Solutions

The best solution for water pollution is prevention. While pollution that has already occurred is a current threat to all life on Earth, attempts to clean it up may cause even more harm.

Chemicals used to treat or clean up oil spills may further contaminate water supplies. Adjustments in temperature to counteract heat or cooling pollution may not achieve proper balance, leading to more loss of aquatic life.

Preventing water pollution does more for the environment by halting the level of pollutants where they are. This gives the environment needed time to begin to correct itself, and time for scientists to determine the best way to combat existing problems.

Water Pollution Preventions

There are several steps that can be taken to help prevent water pollution from getting worse.

Conserve Soil

Erosion is one of the biggest causes of water pollution today. When you take steps to conserve soil, you are also conserving water and water life. Planting vegetative covers, strict erosion management and implementing beneficial farming methods are just a few of the many possible approaches to soil conservation.

Dispose of Toxic Chemicals Properly

It’s always a good idea to use lower VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) products in your home whenever possible. If you do use toxic chemicals, such as paints, stains or cleaning supplies, dispose of them properly. Paints can be recycled and oils can be reused after treatment. Proper disposal keeps these substances out of storm drains, water ways and septic tanks.

Keep Machinery in Good Working Order

Oil is one of the largest polluters of water in the world. It’s estimated that just the transportation of oil is responsible for .0001 percent of oil contamination in water. Take steps to ensure you aren’t adding to this problem by repairing oil leaks in cars and machinery as soon as they are spotted. Clean up the residue and dispose of the used oils properly.

Clean Up Beaches and Waterways

Just picking up waste and litter wherever it is spotted can go a long way to keeping debris and pollutants out of the water. Do your part by taking your own trash, other wastes and any you see to a nearby disposal facility.

Avoid Plastics When Possible

Plastic bags in the ocean is a well documented water pollutant. Keep this problem from getting worse by changing to reusable grocery bags whenever possible.

Get Active and Get Involved

Is there a company near your home that releases heat, coolants or chemicals into a nearby waterway? You can get involved. Contact the EPA, local authorities or write letters to the heads of companies. Spreading an awareness of problems is a big first step toward combating them.

While water pollution solutions may seem like too little, too late when viewed in the light of major oil spills and floating plastic bag islands they are necessary to prevent these problems from growing worse. Simply slowing down the rate of pollution can give the environment and scientists time to find long-term solutions to the very real problems of water pollution. If you do your part to prevent pollution in your area, then you’ll be helping to protect aquatic life.

Air Pollution Facts

Air pollution facts offer concrete proof that we all need to take action to protect and preserve the quality of the air we breathe. Air pollution is a real problem in many parts of the world, and it’s up to us to reduce our emissions and bring about positive change.

Air pollution affects us all.

What Causes Air Pollution?

Air pollution comes from many different sources. Anything that churns out harmful smoke, toxins, chemicals, or biological substances into the air is considered a pollutant. Some of the most common contributors are:

• Industrial and manufacturing processes and waste
  
• Cars and other vehicles that burn fossil fuels
  
• Volcanoes
  
• Fuel combustion
  
• Power generation
  
• Aerosol cans
  
• Explosives
  
• Methane gas from animal waste
  
• Smoking
  
• Chemical and fuel leaks and spills
  

There are several air pollutants that are organic in nature, but the vast majority of them are man made and controllable.

Effects on the Environment

Polluted air from chemicals and other substances causes a chain reaction, affecting many other environmental elements. These include:

• Acid rain
  
• Smog
  
• Depletion of the ozone layer
  
• Global warming and climate change
  

Effects on Humans

Air pollution can have disastrous effects on humans. Here are some air pollution facts to explain how.

• Humans breathe an average of over 3,000 gallons of air every day, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
  
• Children have smaller body masses, so air pollution will affect them more quickly and more harmfully.
  
• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 1.5 billion people are breathing dangerously high levels of pollution every day.
  
• WHO also tells us that polluted air is one of the top ten causes of premature death worldwide.
  

Diseases and Other Health Problems

Breathing in a steady stream of polluted air can cause a multitude of health problems, especially for those living in urban areas where the concentration of pollution is much higher. Developing countries are starting to see a rise in health related problems as a direct result of increased air pollution, and millions of people worldwide die prematurely because of it.

Some of the diseases and other health issues related to polluted air are:

• Cancer
  
• Heart disease
  
• Lung disease
  
• Asthma
  
• Pneumonia and its complications
  
• Bronchitis
  
• Emphysema
  
• Respiratory allergies
  
• Headaches and migraines
  

While air pollution may not directly cause all of these conditions, symptoms occur more frequently and with greater severity because of it. This causes people to rely on more medications and visit hospitals much more often than they would if they were breathing clean air.

Effects on Animals and Plants

Since animals are forced to breathe the same air as humans, disease and premature death effects them just as much. Combined with acid rain, which is a direct result of air pollution, natural habitats are being contaminated. The three main ways air pollution affects animals are:

• Poisoning the air
  
• Contaminating water and food sources
  
• Leaving harmful particulate matter on their coats and skins
  

In the plant world, there are also many effects of air pollution being recorded. One of the major problems stems from the fact that trees and other plants naturally convert harmful carbon dioxide in the air into oxygen. With the current rate of burning down trees in the rain forests as well as other instances of deforestation worldwide, we’re seeing an overall increase in airborne carbon dioxide.

Some other ways that air pollution effects plant life are:

• Absorption of chemicals and other pollutants through leaves
  
• Increased disease and pests due to weakening of cell walls
  
• Excessive water loss when the waxy coating of leaves and needles erode due to air pollution
  
• Slow growth and smaller plants
  
• Premature death
  

Changing Air Pollution Facts

While it seems that all of these air pollution facts bring bad news for humans, animals, plants, and the environment, there is always hope for change. With more laws restricting greenhouse gasses and other forms of air pollution, many cities, states, and countries are on the right path towards cleaning up our air. Continued research and compliance are needed to ensure that toxic air eventually becomes a thing of the past..