575.721.81 - Air Quality Control Technologies

Environmental Engineering
Summer 2023

Description

This is a multidisciplinary course that involves the applications of chemistry, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics in the selection and design of air pollution control equipment. Topics include the estimation of potential pollutants, chemical characterization of gas streams to be controlled, theory and practice of air pollution control, and design and costing of control technologies. The course emphasizes the design of systems to reduce particulate matter emissions, volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, nitrogen oxide emissions, and sulfur dioxide emissions.

Expanded Course Description

Prerequisites 

It is recommended that students have taken a course in fluid dynamics. Fundamental math and chemistry knowledge is required. 

Instructor

Profile photo of Michael Robert.

Michael Robert

michael.robert@jhu.edu

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules. The Modules can be accessed by clicking Modules in the menu. A module will have several sections including the overview, learning guide, content, lectures, readings, discussions, and assignments. Students are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting. Modules run for a period of seven (7) days. Students should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates. 

 

Course Topics

Course Goals

Demonstrate a substantive level of advanced knowledge of air pollution control technologies through study of both theoretical concepts and active learning practical applications. 

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

Textbooks

Required 

Cooper and Alley. (2010). Air Pollution Control: A Design Approach (4th ed.). Waveland Press, Inc. 

ISBN-10: 157766678X

ISBN-13: 978-1577666783 

Textbook information for this course is available online through the appropriate bookstore website: For online courses, search the MBS website at http://ep.jhu.edu/bookstore

Optional 

Additionally, any of the following texts or other texts that you may have from previous courses may be useful for this course if you find yourself struggling with specific skills: 

Required Software

Web Browser Plugins 

You will need the Adobe Flash Player plugin to view videos in this course. Go to http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/

PDF Viewer

You will need the free Adobe PDF viewer software to view PDF files in this course. Go to http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html.

Office Software 

You will need access to word processing and spreadsheet applications. Microsoft Office will, of course, work- however, an open source alternative is OpenOffice.org. http://download.openoffice.org/other.html#en-US.

Student Coursework Requirements

It is expected that each module will take approximately 5–8 hours per week to complete. Here is an approximate breakdown: reading the assigned sections of the texts (approximately 2–3 hours per week) as well as some outside reading, listening to the audio annotated slide presentations (approximately 1–2 hours per week), and research/written assignments (approximately 2–3 hours per week). 

This course will consist of four basic student requirements: 

Module Discussion Activities (15% of Final Grade Calculation) 

Each student is responsible for carefully reading all assigned material and being prepared for discussion. The majority of readings are from the course text. Additional reading may be assigned to supplement text readings. 

Post your initial response to the discussion questions by end of the module in which they are assigned. Posting an initial response to the discussion question is part one of your grade for module discussions (i.e., Timeliness). 

Part two of your grade for module discussion is your interaction (i.e., responding to classmate postings with thoughtful responses) with at least two classmates (i.e., Critical Thinking). Just posting your response to a discussion question is not sufficient; you should interact with your classmates. Be detailed in your postings and in your responses to your classmates' postings. Feel free to agree or disagree with your classmates. Please ensure that your postings are civil and constructive. 

Evaluation of preparation and participation is based on contribution to discussions in accordance with the Discussion Rubric located under Syllabus and Course Information. 

Assignments (15% of Final Grade Calculation) 

Assignments will include a mix of quantitative and/or qualitative assignments problem sets and design project updates. Include a cover sheet with your name and assignment identifier. Also include your name and a page number indicator (i.e., page x of y) on each page of your submissions. Each problem should have the problem statement, assumptions, computations, and conclusions/discussion delineated. All Figures and Tables should be captioned and labeled appropriately. 

All assignments are due according to the dates in the Calendar. Problem sets are evaluated in accordance with the Assignment (problem sets) Rubric provided. 

Design Projects (50% of Final Grade Calculation) 

A course project will be assigned several weeks into the course. 

The course project is evaluated in accordance with the Air Quality Control Project located under Syllabus and Course Information. Design project updates will not be formally graded; however qualitative feedback will be provided by the instructor. 

Final Exam (20% of Final Grade Calculation) 

The final exam will be available in the last Module. Students will have one week to complete the exam and it will be due by 8AM exactly one week from its release. Students may use the course text and other open-source materials to complete the exam. 

The exam will be evaluated by the following grading elements: 

  1. Each part of question is answered (20%) 
  2. Solution methodology and technical accuracy (30%) 
  3. Rationale for answer is provided (20%) 
  4. Examples are included to illustrate rationale (15%) (If a student does not have direct experience related to a particular question, then the student is to provide analogies versus examples). 
  5. Outside references are included (15%) 

Grading Policy

Student assignments are due according to the dates in the Calendar and Assignments items in the corresponding modules. I will post grades 1-2 weeks after assignment due dates depending on the assignment type and/or complexity. 

With the exception of design technical reports, spelling and grammar are generally not directly graded. However, egregious violations of the rules of the English language will be noted without comment. 

Consistently poor performance in either spelling or grammar is taken as an indication of poor written communication ability that may detract from your grade. 

A grade of A indicates achievement of consistent excellence and distinction throughout the course—that is, conspicuous excellence in all aspects of assignments and discussion in every week. 

A grade of B indicates work that meets all course requirements on a level appropriate for graduate academic work. These criteria apply to both undergraduates and graduate students taking the course. 

Score RangeLetter Grade
100-98= A+
97-94= A
93-90= A−
89-87= B+
86-83= B
82-80= B−
79-70= C
<70= F

Final grades will be determined by the following weighting: 
 

Item 

% of Grade 

Module Discussion Activities 

15% 

Assignments 

15% 

Design Project Part I – Technical Report 

15% 

Design Project Part I – Presentation 

5% 

Design Project Part II – Technical Report 

20% 

Design Project Part II – Presentation 

10% 

Final Exam 

20% 

Course Policies

The policies and guidelines of the Engineering for Professionals Program provide the overarching structure for the policies and guidelines that apply to this class. We strive for fairness and due process to all students. Students who wish to appeal a grade may do so in writing. 

If you know that you will be late submitting an assignment or other deliverable product for the course, please communicate with the instructor to inform them of your particular situation and the reasons why you are not able to submit a deliverable on time. You are expected to show the same courtesy to the instructors about your ability to meet deadlines that you would show to your supervisor or client. Good communication skills are critical for professional success. 

Late Penalty – Assignments up to 1 week late will be penalized as shown below. Assignments may not be accepted later than 1 week late for credit; they may still be reviewed for comment at the instructor’s discretion. 

1st day late - 4%  

2nd day late - 8%  

3rd day late -12%

4th day late -16%

5th day late -20%

6th day late -24%

7th day late -28% 

over 14 days late – not accepted for a grade 

Academic Misconduct Policy 

Discussions will be required several times through the course. Note that your initial response must be yours and yours alone, and not influenced by responses already submitted. Also, note that the project is an individual effort, not a group one, although, you may discuss issues that are challenging you with your classmates. 

Collaborations and discussions between students are key ingredients to success in a graduate course. You are encouraged to discuss the course material with each other as you sort through concepts that may be difficult to comprehend or controversial. Whenever you turn in work with your name on it to be evaluated, graded and included in your record it must represent an individual effort by you alone. If you include direct quotes from any source in your discussions, written assignments, the final exam, or any other submission for which you will receive a grade you must provide attribution. Contact us if you have any questions, no matter how slight, about this policy, or if you have questions about a particular assignment.

You may request a paper copy of this policy at this by contacting: 

Mark Tuminello

Phone 410-516-2306 

E-mail mtumine2@jhu.edu  

Academic Integrity Course 

You will be enrolled in an academic integrity training course shortly after registering for your first class at Johns Hopkins Engineering for Professionals. This course covers the fundamental values of academic integrity, as well as information related to our academic misconduct policy. You will receive guidance on proper citation, and learn how to avoid mistakes like plagiarism and other violations of academic misconduct. 

The academic integrity training course can be accessed through Canvas and will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. This is a pass/fail course and the grade will be posted to your transcript. All students are expected to complete the academic integrity course within their first term.  

Plagiarism 

Plagiarism is defined as taking the words, ideas or thoughts of another and representing them as one's own. If you use the ideas of another, provide a complete citation in the source work; if you use the words of another, present the words in the correct quotation notation (indentation or enclosed in quotation marks, as appropriate) and include a complete citation to the source. See the course text for examples. 

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.