The last few decades have seen clear progress in activities related to industrial air emission control.
This results from a number of factors such as the introduction of new technologies and more efficient production processes increased environmental awareness and increasingly stringent legislation.
But the industry still has room for improvement, to minimise its environmental impact. To continue to protect the environment, to ensure the quality of the resources that make life possible and to look after the health of citizens. To commit, in short, to the future and to sustainability.
How? Among other things, by committing to industrial emissions control systems that monitor in real-time, such as the solutions offered by Kunak. But…
What are industrial emissions?
Industrial emissions are gases and particles released into the atmosphere as a result of manufacturing and processing activities in various industrial sectors. These emissions can include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and other pollutants that significantly impact on air quality and the global climate.
Las emisiones industriales son los gases y partículas liberados a la atmósfera como resultado de las actividades de fabricación y procesamiento en diversos sectores industriales. Estas emisiones pueden incluir dióxido de carbono (CO2), metano (CH4), óxidos de nitrógeno (NOx), compuestos orgánicos volátiles (COV), partículas finas (PM2,5) y otros contaminantes que tienen un impacto significativo en la calidad del aire y el clima mundial.
The regulation of these emissions is crucial, as they can contribute to climate change, acid rain, respiratory problems in the population and the degradation of ecosystems. Therefore, international regulations and protocols, such as the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement, aim to limit and reduce the amount of harmful emissions.
Industries implement various technologies to control and minimise their emissions, such as filters, electrostatic precipitators, desulphurisation and denitrification systems. In addition, the development of more efficient industrial processes and the transition to renewable energy sources are key strategies to achieve cleaner and more sustainable production.
In short, industrial emissions are a key issue in today’s environmental discussion, and their proper management is essential to protect human health and the environment.
Types of industrial emissions
Industrial emissions come from different sources and have important consequences for health and the environment, which underlines the importance of controlling and reducing industrial emissions.
These are the main industrial emissions:
Carbon DioxideCarbon dioxide (CO2) is a gas that occurs naturally in the atmosphere and plays a crucial role in the life processes of the planet. This gas, also known as...
Read more (CO2)
Main greenhouse gas emitted from fossil fuel combustion in power plants and manufacturing. Contributes to global warming and climate change.
MethaneMethane, known chemically as CH₄, is a gas that is harmful to the atmosphere and to living beings because it has a high heat-trapping capacity. For this ...
Read more(CH4)
Gas emitted during the production and transport of coal, oil and natural gas, as well as by certain industrial processes. It is more potent than CO2 in terms of its impact on global warming.
Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
Gases resulting from high temperature reactions in industrial processes and vehicle combustion. They can cause respiratory problems and contribute to the formation of smogSmog, beyond that dense fog
Smog is a mixture of air pollutantsAir pollution is one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time. The air we breathe contains various harmful substances of a chemical, physical o...
Read more that accumulate in the atmosphere, especially in urban areas. This phenomenon is character...
Read more and acid rain.
Volatile Organic Compounds (COV)
Emitted from solvents, paints and industrial processes. They are precursors of ground-level ozone, affecting air quality and respiratory health.
Particulate matterAtmospheric particulate matter are microscopic elements suspended in the air, consisting of solid and liquid substances. They have a wide range of sizes an...
Read more (PM1, PM2.5, PM10, TSP)
Small particles from combustion of stationary and mobile sources. They can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause cardiovascular and respiratory problems.
Hydrogen sulphide (H2S)
Rotten egg odour gas, released by industrial processes such as oil refining. At high concentrations, it can be toxic and affect human health.
Asbestos
Mineral fibres used in construction and manufacturing. Inhalation of asbestos fibres can cause serious lung diseases, including cancer.
Lead (Pb)
Heavy metal emitted by metallurgical and battery industries. Lead exposure can adversely affect the nervous system, especially in children.
Mercury (Hg)
Liquid metal released from coal burning and chlorine production. It is highly toxic and can accumulate in the food chain, affecting human and animal health.
Dioxins and Furans
Chemical compounds produced in combustion processes. They are persistent in the environment and can cause long-term health problems, including cancer.
Industrial air emission control, making visible what you are breathing in
A competitive and diversified industrial sector guarantees a strong and resilient economy. But putting growth before the environment and people’s well-being often has dire results. The alternative is to ensure that these companies continue to operate, but in a more efficient and controlled way, starting with an understanding of the effects they have on the environment.
In this respect, legislation has made clear progress in establishing emission limits. Thus, in the case of Spain and an increasing number of other countries, companies with polluting emissions are legally obliged to control these substances. It is not in vain that industry is, together with traffic, one of the most relevant anthropic sources of emissions.
However, this type of task is not part of the services we offer at Kunak. Our mission is not to replace standardised pollution measurement procedures but to complement them.
Monitoring, for example,
- odour pollution caused by hydrogen sulphide (H2S) or ammonia (NH3) released from facilities such as wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), composting plants or the paper industry;
- diffuse emissions from industrial perimeters which may include substances such as CO2, CO, NO2, SO2, VOCs, H2S, O3 and PM1, PM2.5 & PM10; and
- accidental releases and leaks from industrial areas
through the deployment of ring-shaped air quality monitoringControlling air quality is an essential task in order to enjoy optimal environmental conditions for healthy human development and to keep the environment i...
Read more stations network such as the new Kunak AIR Lite.
How do industrial air emissions pollute? The importance of control
Industrial air pollution not only disrupts the ecological balance and puts public health at risk, it also underscores the critical importance of accurate and reliable information. Reliable data on pollution levels and sources is essential to formulate effective policies and make informed decisions that protect the environment and the health of communities.
Air quality stations with advanced sensors are valuable tools in this mission. These systems allow continuous, real-time monitoring of pollutants, providing a detailed and up-to-date view of air quality. This information is key to identifying trends, preventing high pollution episodes and assessing the effectiveness of the implemented policies.
The usefulness of these stations goes beyond just data collection; they become key allies for public health by providing early warning to vulnerable populations and enabling rapid response to environmental emergencies. They also promote transparency and public awareness, empowering people with the knowledge necessary to demand meaningful action and change.
In conclusion, industrial air emissions require rigorous surveillance and the implementation of monitoring technologies such as Kunak’s stations, demonstrating that reliable information is a key pillar in the fight against pollution and the protection of our planet.
Industrial emissions control
Nowadays, there are various industrial emission control systems designed to mitigate environmental impacts and protect public health. These systems range from physical methods, such as filters and precipitators, to chemical and biological solutions to treat and reduce pollutants before they are released into the atmosphere.
Real-time air monitoring systems, such as those offered by Kunak, are among the most innovative solutions. These systems represent a significant advance in environmental management, providing accurate and reliable air quality data. By combining advanced sensor technology with air quality reference stations (AAQMS), a synergy is achieved that improves the spatial and temporal resolution of the data collected.
The integration of these systems allows the detection of emission patterns and real-time operational adjustments, resulting in more efficient and proactive emissions management. The accuracy provided by reference stations ensures that the information collected is of the highest quality, which is crucial for making informed decisions and implementing effective emission control policies.
Advanced monitoring systems such as Kunak’s are essential for a sustainable future, providing the necessary tools for comprehensive and accurate control of industrial emissions.
Control of industrial air emissions, 2 examples demonstrating its importance
At Kunak we have extensive experience in the design of mechanical devices for the control of industrial emissions. And to show you the suitability of this activity, there is no better way than to show you some of our own and external examples.
Odour control system in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP)
Arazuri WWTP (Navarre, Spain)
Wastewater odour control is, for example, a paradigmatic case of the usefulness of our solutions.
The benefits of this type of monitoring have been demonstrated in facilities as far away as the Arazuri WWTP (Navarra, Spain), the Vicentina WWTP (São Leopoldo, Brazil) and the Shafdan WWTP (Rishon LeZion, Israel).
The main pollutant being monitored in both projects is H2S, a gas easily distinguishable by its nasty smell.
Vicentina WWTP (São Leopoldo, Brasil)
The systems deployed in the field and equipped with anemometers record the concentrations of hydrogen sulphide, transmitting real-time data to the Kunak AIR Cloud platform. Our software, in addition to allowing visualisation of the information, allows alerts to be set up, or to calibrate and check the status of the stations.
Measuring air emissions from fracking operations
Another clear example of the suitability of such massive deployments for monitoring industrial emissions is the project to detect diffuse emissions related to fracking operations in Ohio (USA). In this case, the objective was to test the impact of this activity on health and to complement the readings obtained by the official US EPA stations. The result has been the establishment of a correlation between the symptoms reported by the inhabitants of the local communities and the pollution peaks.
Fracking exploitation
The urban growth experienced by urban areas, which has ended up “gobbling up” industries, or the need to provide cities with nearby sanitation and purification systems are two issues that are difficult to solve because it is not always possible to relocate to a less conflictive area.
However, in cases where inhabited areas and industrial activities such as the petrochemical industry or energy production have to share space, monitoring technology and creating clean air zones can be useful to minimise impacts.
Because, in the end, it is all a matter of willingness to address the problem. About investing in proven systems and collecting the reliable data needed to act quickly and effectively. It’s about trusting in Kunak’s solutions.
