Controlling Industrial Pollution: Renewable Energy and Machine Modifications

This report discusses the issue of industrial pollution and highlights two advanced control methods used to prevent it: renewable energy and machine modifications. The report provides a critical analysis of the two methods and compares their efficiency in controlling industrial pollution.

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Industrial Pollution
Student name
Professor’s name
Course
Institution
Date

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Transmittal Letter
September 18, 2018
Professor
Assistant professor
Department
Institution
Subject: Letter of Transmittal on Assignment Report
Dear Sir/Madam,
With due respect, this is a term research project report titled “Industrial Pollution” that was
assigned to us. Although we are still learning various aspects of academic writing skills, the
assignment has helped us enhance and improve our research and presentation skills. Particularly,
it is a challenging and educative experience to undertake research on a broad issue as industrial
pollution in regards to its prevention methods. However, the report was completed according to
the instructions given and with the assistance and consultations with other colleagues on
different writing approaches.
I would like to thank you and other students for the support accorded throughout the research
process. I hope that the work is done and effort put on research is reflected in the report
considering the level of experience in research projects.
Yours Sincerely,
Name
Student ID

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Table of Contents
Transmittal Letter............................................................................................................................1
Summary..........................................................................................................................................4
Justification......................................................................................................................................4
1.0 Introduction................................................................................................................................6
2.0 Controlling Industrial Pollution: A Critical Analysis................................................................6
2.1 Using Renewable Energy......................................................................................................7
2.2 Redesigning Machines...........................................................................................................7
2.3 Comparison between Renewable Energy use and Machine Modifications...........................8
3.0 Conclusion...............................................................................................................................10
4.0 Recommendations....................................................................................................................10
References......................................................................................................................................12

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Summary
This report highlights the issue of industrial pollution. The discussion is based on two advanced
control methods used to prevent industrial pollution. Use of renewable energy and modification
of machines are two significant control measures that industries need to embrace to fight
industrial pollution. In essence, factories pollute air, land, and water in great percentages due to
waste disposal and greenhouse gas emissions. However, with renewable sources of energy and
fitting or precipitators, filters and electrochemical treatment units in factories, the number of
toxins released to the environments will significantly reduce. Considering the two methods, they
are efficient in combating more than one form of pollution that results from industrial activities.
From this report, substantive discussions on the usability and efficiency of the two industrial
pollution control methods are done in details.
Justification
The issue of pollution has become a global concern. With industrial activities being the
leading causes of the problem, assessment of different ways of approaching the issue are needed.
It is through research that more efficient ways of handling industrial pollution can be developed.
As a result, this research was necessitated by the need of finding advanced methods of combating
environmental pollution. However, it focused on industrial pollution since it is the most rampant
form of pollution that exists in many countries. The research stages for this report is highlighted
in the Gann chart below.

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September 2018
No. TASKS Day
1
Day
2
Day
3
Day
4
Day
5
Day
6
Day
7
Day
8
1 Reading extensively about
industrial pollution and its
mitigation measures.
2 Brainstorm major advanced
methods of taking care of
industrial pollution
3 Identification of sources to be
used.
4. Developing an outline for the
report.
5 Assembling and consolidating
research outline based on the
identified resources
6 Formating and proofreading the
report for final submission.
Gann Chart

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1.0 Introduction
Industrial pollution is arguably one of the greatest threats to the environment. It cuts
across different types of pollution ranging from air, water, noise, and land. The presence of
factories/plants in any region may lead to excessive pollution of the nearby water bodies or the
general ecosystem of the area. With time, the forms of pollution have become exacerbated by the
industrial revolution that has to seem many industries set up even close to human settlements
(OECD 2018). Nuclear plants and heavy processing factories have increased over the years
making the pollution issue a universal concern for all environment enthusiasts and
conservationists.
Although there are policies in place, they differ across countries. The limitation on the
types of products or chemicals used in industries has not been regulated. Instead, companies are
called upon to provide their environmental assessment report on an annual basis without
following up to ascertain the extent of industrial pollution caused. For this reason, several
advanced methods have been developed to assist in taking care of the pollution. Converting
industrial processes to use renewable energy and using redesigning machines to reduce noise,
chemical and air emissions are some of the measures employed to control industrial pollution
(Zeng 2015). This reports is going to highlight the two methods in depth and critically compare
their efficiency when used to take care of industrial pollution.
2.0 Controlling Industrial Pollution: A Critical Analysis
Industries are finding it challenging to effectively control pollution due to their activities.
This has however been steamed by ignorance and negligence by industries leading to the release
of hazardous industrial waste to waterbodies and landfills (Ivar do Sul & Costa 2014). It is for

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this reason that industries have been encouraged to start implementing new control methods to
minimize their impacts to the ecosystem.
2.1 Using Renewable Energy
Use of hydrocarbon fuel and coal in most countries have been embraced. This has
significant impacts on air and environmental pollution. Smoke produced from burning coal or
fuel to power machines produces dense smokes to the atmosphere thus leading to global
warming. Ideally, the greenhouse gas emissions are high in regions with heavy industrial
activities (Union of Concerned Scientists 2018). As a result, the use renewable energy has been
seen as the perfect solution for both air and land pollution that is attributed to industrial
activities. By using renewable energy, almost zero gas emissions will be experiences from
factories. Furthermore, coal mining will reduce and degradation and pollution due to reduced
demand for coal for industrial use (Union of Concerned Scientists 2018).
Renewable energy takes different forms ranging from hydroelectric power, use of solar
and wind energy (Haugen & Musser 2012). Through these forms of renewable energy, industrial
pollution can be regulated to manageable levels. By reducing industrial pollution by 50% it is
likely that the ecosystem will be able to regenerate and regain its natural shape with time (Zeng
2015). Essentially, renewable energy reduces global warming or eradicate it as well. According
to OECD (2018, p. 107), an increasing supply and use of renewable energy would guarantee a
reduction in coal and fuel dependence in production. Consequently, industrial pollution in
regards to air and land would significantly reduce.
2.2 Redesigning Machines

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A significant portion of industrial pollution is aided by the machines used. Disposal and
emission of waste, dust and gas emotions are not controlled. The lack of systems that can filter,
purify or neutralize the toxicity of the emitted gases and waste has allowed industrial pollution to
become rampant and overwhelming to tackle (Rene et al. 2018). However, this issue can be
overtaken by redesigning the machines to allow them to control the level of toxins produces or
emitted during industrial processes. Among the key measures under this method may include the
use of electrostatic precipitators, fabric filters and inertial separators in combustion chimneys in
factories (Rene et al. 2018). This would significantly reduce emission of toxic gases and particles
to the atmosphere thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions altogether.
Through redesigning of machines, photocatalytic oxidation, electrochemical treatment,
and hybrid-forward osmosis can be incorporated in the manufacturing process (Rene et al. 2018).
By embracing this technique in factories, the waste/effluents produced will have little or no
effects to the ecosystem especially on waterbodies and land. As a result, industrial pollution
would be controlled substantially thus allowing the environment to have its natural conditions.
Although redesigning means including other substantial elements in factories, it is an advanced
method whose technology can be used to surpass the current challenges. In essence, redesigning
machines as part of controlling industrial pollutions would not only ensure safe waste is released
to the environment but also ensure no health risks are presented (Wang & Yang 2016).
2.3 Comparison between Renewable Energy use and Machine Modifications
Basing on these two industrial pollution control mechanisms, industrial pollution can be
significantly reduced. Whereas renewable energy is used to combat air and land pollution,
machine modification can be used to control both the aforementioned problems as well as water
pollution. Accordingly, green gas emissions, accumulation of hazardous materials in landfills

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and contaminating water bodies with effluents can be reduced substantially (van Vuuren et al.
2017). Although these two methods have proven costly to the manufacturing industry, they are
the most feasible options for taking care of industrial pollution. Ideally, conservation of the
ecosystems can only be managed if companies agree or are forced to use environmentally
sustainable production methods in the processes (Klein & Rubin 2013).
As a control method, machine modification can incorporate many other prevention
approaches. This may include reduction of emission through catalytic processes which are used
to neutralize the toxicity of substances being released to the environment (Centi 2009). On the
other hand, renewable energy is/can be used to control the percentage and demand for carbon-
fuel as well as coal which are primary sources or energy in most heavy manufacturing industries.
Through the use of hydropower, solar and wind energy, a green economy can easily be
supported. Less greenhouse effect would be felt across the globe if all factories embrace the use
of renewable sources of energy (Novan 2015). Although there are differences in terms of
efficiency and cost, the two methods are considerably better measures to control industrial
pollution and ensure a clean environment that supports life.
Despite the two approaches having different outcomes on the extent to which they can
take care of industrial pollution, the end results are almost the same. Furthermore, both methods
involve restructuring industrial processes to accommodate different pollution measures such as
shifting from coal to solar power or wind power, fitting filters, and electrostatic precipitators or
electrochemical treatment units within the production lines (Rene et al. 2018). Depending on the
activities of a particular factory, the method used can significantly vary. Furthermore, access to
renewable energy and its efficiency in production also counts when designing the best approach
to take (Kolstad, 2011).

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3.0 Conclusion
Industrial pollution remains to be the greatest threat to environment owing to its multiple
types of pollutions that it creates in the ecosystem. However, much of the control of such
pollution has to come from companies that are crafting products and introducing toxins to the
environment in the long run. Depending on the types of activities being undertaken, the
magnitude of the pollution may differ across different businesses thus necessitating variations in
mitigation plans. Particularly, replacing coal or fuel-based energy renewable sources would
greatly reduce the level of contamination manufacturing processes have on the environment.
Furthermore, the production machines can be altered to allow incorporation of precipitators,
filters or electrochemical treatment units to be fitted in them. Such advanced control methods
will guarantee a reduction in effluents being released on land, air or water bodies. Although there
are other industrial pollution control mechanisms, these two and more efficient since they cut
across all types of pollutions that are caused by industrial activities. Therefore, the exacerbation
caused by industrial revolution needs to be reversed through this approaches for the environment
to regain its natural state and provide safe living conditions for humans, animals, and plants.
4.0 Recommendations
Based on the findings on how renewable energy and machine modification can be used to
take care of industrial pollution, there are other issues that would need to be put in place to
ensure that it happens across all industries. Due to the nature of activities being undertaken by
industries and their effects on the nearby community and environment, several recommendations
can be made to reduce the degree of industrial pollution. First, manufacturing companies with
intensive activities should be centralized in one region. It is known that industries are sparsely
distributed across different regions in the world and in the same country. The Lack of

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centralization has created more destruction to the environment (Garrehy, 2014). Therefore,
manufacturing companies should be shifted or concentrated in one region to reduce the spread of
environmental pollution to all parts of the country.
Second, stringent regulations should be put in place to compel companies to reduce their
emissions or adopt conventional production methods that ensure the safety of the environment
and release of fewer greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Despite the existence of an
environmental protection agency (EPA), enforcement of environmental laws is still inadequate.
Companies are violating environmental laws and regulation and cover this through their annual
assessment reports that do not reflect the actual facts on the ground (Gunningham, 2011).
Therefore, this recommendation will be used to ensure there is compliance.
Lastly, factories should be forced to have designated waste disposal sites and be forced to
redesign their processes to reduce toxins produced. This will be a milestone that would see the
face of the environment change for the better. As a result, there will be less spread of the waste
on land and water bodies (EPA, 2016). Therefore, assigning factories designates dumping sites
would significantly reduce the spread of industrial pollution.

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References
Centi, G 2009, Sustainable industrial chemistry. 2nd ed., Weinheim: Wiley-VCH.
EPA 2016, Guide for industrial waste management,
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-03/.../industrial-waste-guide.pdf
Garrehy, P 2014, Centralized vs Decentralized Manufacturing,
https://industrytoday.com/article/centralized-vs-decentralized-manufacturing/
Gunningham, N 2011, ‘Enforcing Environmental Regulation’, Journal of Environmental Law,
vol. 23,no. 2, pp.169-201.
Haugen, D & Musser, S 2012, Renewable energy. 3rd edn., Detroit: Greenhaven Press.
Ivar do Sul, J & Costa, M 2014, ‘The present and future of microplastic pollution in the marine
environment’, Environmental Pollution, vol. 185, pp.352-364.
Klein, S. & Rubin, E 2013, ‘Life cycle assessment of greenhouse gas emissions, water and land
use for concentrated solar power plants with different energy backup systems’, Energy Policy,
vol. 63, pp.935-950.
Kolstad, C 2011, Environmental economics, 2nd ed., New York: Oxford University Press.
Novan, K 2015, ‘Valuing the Wind: Renewable Energy Policies and Air Pollution
Avoided’, American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, vol. 7, no. 3, pp.291-326.
OECD 2018, Best Available Techniques for Preventing and Controlling Industrial Pollution,
Activity 2: Approaches to Establishing Best Available Techniques (BAT) Around the World,
Environment, Health and Safety, Environment Directorate, OECD.
Rene, E, Shu, L, Lens, P & Jegatheesan, J 2018, ‘Tools, techniques, and technologies for
pollution prevention, control, and resource recovery’, Environmental Science and Pollution
Research, vol. 25 no. 6, pp.5047-5050.

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Union of Concerned Scientists 2018, Benefits of Renewable Energy Use,
https://www.ucsusa.org/clean-energy/renewable-energy/public-benefits-of-renewable-
power#.W6DrxLf5XDc.
van Vuuren, D, Stehfest, E, Gernaat, D, Doelman, J, van den Berg, M, Harmsen, M, de Boer, H,
Bouwman, L, Daioglou, V, Edelenbosch, O, Girod, B, Kram, T, Lassaletta, L, Lucas, P, van
Meijl, H, Müller, C, van Ruijven, B, van der Sluis, S & Tabeau, A 2017, ‘Energy, land-use and
greenhouse gas emissions trajectories under a green growth paradigm’, Global Environmental
Change, vol. 42, pp.237-250.
Wang, Q & Yang, Z 2016, ‘Industrial water pollution, water environment treatment, and health
risks in China’, Environmental Pollution, vol. 218, pp.358-365.
Zeng, E 2015, ‘A new page for Environmental Pollution’, Environmental Pollution, vol. 204,
pp.1-332.