Homework No. 4
Sean Edward Paquette
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Course: Air and Water Pollution Prevention and Control Engineering; MANE-6960H01
Professor Ernesto Gutierrez-Miravete
Fall 2013
Homework (Number 4) – Due date October 10, 2013
1.
Write a ~250 word essay describing the key characteristics of particulate air pollutants encountered in the location where you live or work.
Particulate air pollutants are man-made or natural tiny pieces of solid or liquid matter suspended in the atmosphere as atmospheric aerosol (particulate/air mixture). PM has a great effect on human health and the environment. Below is a diagram illustrating the size distribution in micrometers of various types of PM. The diagram can be found at, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Airborne-particulate-sizechart.jpg
.
The website I used to determine my local air quality conditions was www.airnow.gov
. I currently live in
Rocky Hill, CT although AirNow calculated quality conditions for Middletown, CT. The pollutants details are good, although, when I answered question 5 from homework No. 2 they were better. Today’s particle matter (PM
2.5
) is 42 (good) and tomorrow’s high is expected to be 38 (good). A numerical value
Sean Paquette Air & Water Pollution Prevention & Control Engineering
MANE-6960H01
Semester Fall 2013 Home d

Homework No. 4 between 0 and 50 Middletown, CT air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
Sean Paquette Air & Water Pollution Prevention & Control Engineering Semester Fall 2013
MANE-6960H01
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Homework No. 4
2.
The attached excel spreadsheet contains some air pollutant particle size data (in micrometers). Carry out a statistical analysis of the data. Is the log-normal distribution a good fit to the data?
Based on the data and histograms below, the original air pollutant particle size data would not be a good fit for a log-normal distribution.
Sean Paquette Air & Water Pollution Prevention & Control Engineering Semester Fall 2013
MANE-6960H01
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Homework No. 4
First attempt to accurately size bins.
Sean Paquette Air & Water Pollution Prevention & Control Engineering Semester Fall 2013
MANE-6960H01
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Second attempt to accurately size bins.
Homework No. 4
Below histogram is based on normal distribution data.
Sean Paquette Air & Water Pollution Prevention & Control Engineering Semester Fall 2013
MANE-6960H01
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Homework No. 4
Sean Paquette Air & Water Pollution Prevention & Control Engineering Semester Fall 2013
MANE-6960H01
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