Department of Chemical Engineering

University of San Carlos

Nasipit, Talamban, Cebu City

SYLLABUS
Course Information
Course No.
Course Title
Credit Units
Pre-requisites
Term
Schedule

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Teacher Information
CHE EB 13
Air Pollution and its Control
3.0
Fifth Year Standing
2nd Semester, SY 2015 2016
3:30 5:00, FRI, ChE Conference Room

Name
Office
Contact
Phone

: Ramir L. Jarabis, M. Eng.

: Chemical Engineering Department, Consultation Times: TTh, 10:30 to
12:00
: rjarabis@gmail.com
: (032) 344-6783

COURSE DETAILS

Course Description

Air pollution is often associated with the development of human civilization, e.g. industrial revolution, transportation, etc. It is a malady
often faced by developing and developed countries. As such, this course takes up the characteristics and perspectives of air quality,
meteorology and natural purification processes occurring in our air sheds. Finally, students learning is cemented through independent and indepth discussion and oral presentation of various engineered systems for air pollution control. Other related issues like risk, safety, legal and
institutional framework, and environmental impacts are also given consideration.

By the end of the semester, students should be able to:

[CO1]: Define air pollution and characterize various air pollutants.

Alignment to Program Outcomes

This course is demonstrative to the achievement of :

[CO2]: Discuss the elemental properties of the atmosphere and relate their roles in
meteorology and natural purification processes.

[PO1] Ability to apply knowledge of mathematics and science to the general practice
of chemical engineering and in at least one specialized field of application.

[CO3]: Assess various engineered systems for air pollution control and its suitability to
the existing requirement.

[PO3] Knowledge of contemporary issues framed within the Carolinian ideal of being
a Witness to the Word.

[CO4]: Perform mass and energy balances for various air pollution control processes
and its component steps; and

[PO8] Understanding of the professional and ethical responsibilities of chemical

engineers to the society and the environment.

[CO5]: Assess hazards and risks as well as the environmental impacts of air pollution
control.
B
Course Structure
TOPICS
Unit 1. Air Quality: Definitions, Characteristics and Perspectives
1.
2.
3.
4.

Historical overview
Global implications of air pollution
Units of measurement
Sources of air pollutants
a. Particulates
b. Hydrocarbons
c. Carbon monoxide
d. Oxides of sulfur
e. Oxides of nitrogen
f. Photochemical oxidants
g. Indoor air pollution

Time Allocation

2 weeks

Teaching and Learning Activities

Reading assignment

In-class discussion

Targeted COs

Assessment Scheme

CO2
CO4

Formative Q & A

CO1

Oral Presentations

Discussion topics
Unit 2: Meteorology and Natural Purification Processes
Effects of:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Heat
Pressure
Wind
Moisture
Relative humidity
Influence of the below meteorological phenomena on air
quality:
a. Lapse rates and dispersion
b. Pressure systems and dispersion
c. Winds and dispersion
d. Moisture and dispersion

6 weeks

Student-led discussion

CO2
CO3

Discussion topics and problems

Unit 3: Engineered Systems for Air Pollution Control
1. Atmospheric cleansing processes
2. Approaches to contaminant control

6 weeks

Student-led discussion

CO1
CO2
CO3

Oral Presentations

CO1
CO2

Teacher-lead
student discussion

Control devices for particulate contaminants

3. Gravitational settling chambers
4. Centrifugal collectors
5. Wet collectors
6. Fabric filters (Baghouse filters)
7. Electrostatic precipitators (ESP)
Control devices for particulate contaminants
8. Adsorption
9. Absorption
10. Condensation
11. Combustion
12. Automotive Emission Control
Unit 4: Other Related Issues in Air Pollution and Control
The following are some of the issues that will be tackled:

4 weeks

Interactive synthesis

CO3
CO4

1. What are the key hazards and risks associated with air
pollution?

and presentation

2. What are the existing legal and institutional framework

that take care of the management of air quality issues in the
Philippines?
3. What are the significant and prevailing environmental
impacts of air pollution?
b

Educational Resources

Material
It is left to the students to mine relevant printed and
online sources for their assigned topics. The teacher
assists the student in organizing the content for
discussion in class.

Available/Accessible At

As a student in this course, you must comply with the following requirements:
1. Attendance and Class Participation
You are expected to attend all scheduled classes. The USC Student Manual (2006 Edition) specifies that a
student absences of more than 20% of the prescribed number of class hours or laboratory periods during the term
should be given an NC or 5.0. A 3-unit course has 48 class hours. Students with three (3) absences are required
to get a readmission permit from the college dean.
Course Requirements

Class participation is evidenced by behaviors of engagement in class activities. Such behaviors include the
coming on time, asking questions during lectures, sharing of ideas and opinions, and doing background readings
prior to class meetings.
2. Oral Presentation of Assigned Topic
The required oral presentation will be graded using a rubric that the class will develop in consultation with the

teacher.
3. Written Exam
Students must pass a written midterm and final examination
Assigning of course grades at the end of the semester is based on the various assessment data. Scores obtained from
various activities are assigned specific weights in the calculation of the overall performance of the student. Weighting
is detailed as follows:
Evaluation and Grading Policy
Oral Presentation
Independent Work

50%
50%

The grade earned is computed as follows: Grade = (120 Overall Performance)/20. Thus, an overall performance
of 60 gets the minimum grade of 3.0.

Course Policies

Tardiness
Coming on time is highly encouraged. Appropriate sanctions may be given to students who are habitually tardy.
Required submissions
Reports submitted late will get reduction in points.
Classroom behavior
In class, students are expected to behave in a manner that would unnecessarily disrupt classroom activities. The
instructor reserves the right to ask misbehaving students to leave the classroom. For one, use of mobile phones
during class hours is strictly prohibited unless otherwise there is a serious need (on a case-to-case basis). Mobile
phones used in class will be confiscated and surrendered to the Student Affairs Office. (Students are assumed to have
read Sections 2.5.4 to 2.5.12 of the USC Student Manual, 2006 edition.)

ANNEX A: BSChE Program Educational Objectives (PEOs)

Three to five years after graduation, the Carolinian engineering graduate is:
[PEO1]: A productive professional exhibiting competence, leadership, and life-long learning in the field of engineering;

[PEO2}: A global citizen who is noble in character and community-oriented; and

[PEO3]: A knowledge advocate pursuing academic or professional expertise through graduate studies or employment in academic institutions or chemical process industries.

ANNEX B: BSChE Program Outcomes (POs)

A student of the Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (BSChE) program must attain upon graduation the following:
Use of Engineering and Conceptual Knowledge:
[PO1]: An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics and science to the general practice of chemical engineering and in at least one specialized field of applications..
[PO2]: An ability to use techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for the chemical engineering practice.
[PO3]: Knowledge of contemporary issues framed within the Carolinian ideal of being a Witness to the Word.
Problem Analysis and Solution Synthesis:
[PO4]: An ability to analyze and interpret data to improve, innovate and supervise systems, its components and processes.
[PO5]: An ability to identify, formulate, and solve chemical engineering problems.
Investigation:
[PO6]: An ability to propose, plan, and implement research projects for testing hypothesis and verifying assumptions, and to write research.
Engineering Design:
[PO7]: An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired targets in accordance with standards and with realistic considerations of economic, environmental,
social, political, ethical, and health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability constraints.
Ethics and Professionalism:
[PO8]: An understanding of the professional and ethical responsibilities of chemical engineers the society and the environment.
[PO9]: An ability to engage in life-long learning and to update oneself continuously with the current trends and development in the chosen field of specialization.
Impacts of Engineering on Society and Environment:
[PO10]: An understanding of the broad economic, environmental, societal, and global impacts of chemical engineering solutions.

Teamwork, Communication and Project Management:

[PO11]: An ability to manage self and to function effectively as a member or leader in a team.
[PO12]: An ability to communicate ideas, propositions, results, and solutions in appropriate forms easily understood by a target audience.
[PO13]: An understanding of management principles in the context of engineering practice in multidisciplinary and multicultural environments.

PREPARED BY: Engr. RAMIR L. JARABIS

Full Instructor

APPROVED BY:

Engr. RAMELITO C
Department Chair

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Date