Nihal Anwar Siddiqui

Quality Assessment of Groundwater Using Water Quality Index at Yamunanagar, Haryana

The study reports the assessment of water quality index (WQI) for groundwater of Yamunanagar city. Water quality index is a unique combination of equations that predict the water quality in a single term. Furthermore, it is a valuable rating technique for determining the water quality and it helps in selection of appropriate water treatment technique. It can also be used for communicating information about water quality to public and legislative decision makers. WQI helps in representation of overall water quality and abatement of programs for water quality management. In this study, assessment of WQI for groundwater quality was determined based on various physiochemical parameters like pH, electrical conductivity, total hardness, chloride, alkalinity, and dissolved oxygen. The WQI for groundwater of various locations of Yamunanagar was higher than 100 (unsafe) except one location.

Use of QRA to Manage SIMOPS Operations

The simultaneous operations (SIMOPS) are major construction activities or major shutdown activities carried out in oil and gas plants while a part of the plant is in operation. The SIMOPS possess various risks due to the hazardous operations carried within proximity of the running plant. For example, heavy lifting, huge welding and cutting near flammable storage areas, construction/shutdown team performing SIMOPS inside the operational field unaware of the operational hazards, and operational team unaware on the construction hazards and vice versa. Hence, the SIMOPS activities pose greater risk to the plant and people due to hazardous materials and hazardous activities. This paper will provide an overview of how SIMOPS operations are managed safely.

Quantitative Estimation of Risk to Community Near an Ammonia Rail Wagon Loading Facility

Quantitative risk assessment (QRA) is a key tool extensively used by process industries worldwide. The growth of process industries is crucial for the development of the economy of any country. With the advancement of process technologies and invention of new process and products, the risk associated with them is also increasing. This paper analyzes and quantifies the risk posed by an ammonia loading facility located north of a nearby residential area. The hazard identification was carried out in a systematic manner, and a number of maximum credible accident scenarios, with the potential to cause harm to surrounding residential population, were identified and analyzed for their consequences. The consequence analysis for the identified maximum credible accident scenarios was done with the help of a risk assessment software, and the forecasted consequences were compared with the accepted international criteria.

Human Health Effects Emanating from Airborne Heavy Metals Due to Natural and Anthropogenic Activities: A Review

Of the various airborne pollutants, pumped into the atmosphere due to anthropogenic activities and/or natural phenomena, heavy metals constitute a potent threat to human health. Studies have highlighted the existence of heavy metals in ambient air and its adverse impact on human health which leads to acute and chronic health issues, respiratory disorders, lung cancer, etc., which may lead to death. The outcome from different studies helps us to understand that the increasing rates of heavy metal pollutants in the air have become a reason for deteriorating health among people.

A Critical Study on Role of Sensor-Based Electronic System for Toxic Gas Identification in the Mining (Coal) Industry

Mining sector is one of the most vulnerable and hazardous places to work and has constant risks for both human and environment. Due to the presence of various perils, this sector is also prone to various disasters. Every year as the mines are subjected to regular removal of earth resources, the risks for miners, workers, and environment become grave. As there is the presence of toxic gasses such as methane, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, therefore, the safety of miners plays an important concern. Therefore, the role of sensors/detectors to detect the concentration of gasses and to make the workplace fit for job becomes the challenging concern for the authorities. This review paper evaluates the present scenario and application of sensors/detectors to detect toxic gases in the mines and to study the dangers and adverse situation which resulted into disasters in past and could be controlled in future by the application of the latest technology in the field of sensors.

Treatment of Effluent from Pharmaceutical Industry Using Calcium Oxide Obtained from Eggshells

Global consumption of hen eggs results in generation of approximately 1200 billion units of waste eggshells annually. This waste is considered environmental hazard and needs to be disposed off. This disposal is generally done in landfills without any pretreatment because it is conventionally useless and ultimately creates environmental pollution. Disposal of eggshells in already space-strained landfills results in problems of odor, flies, and vermins. Adequate utilization of waste eggshell would reduce the environmental problems caused by their disposal. This paper presents an alternative to disposal of eggshell through development of a process for gainful utilization of calcium oxide from waste eggshell (COWE). A commercially viable process is developed for biosorption of heavy metals present in effluent from pharmaceutical industry using COWE. The process can be used in both batch as well as continuous mode of process operation. COWE used for the present study is generated from calcination of waste eggshells. The physiochemical properties of the COWE were studied using XRD, SEM, EDAX, PSA, BET analysis. The COWE thus obtained was used for heavy metal removal from effluent discharged from pharmaceutical industries. Batch experiments were performed by varying dosage, pH, temperature, and contact time, whereas bed height and flow rate of adsorbent were varied in the continuous experimental studies. The initial and final concentrations of heavy metals in the effluent were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). It was found that maximum removal of heavy metals from the effluent was obtained at dosage (450 mg), pH (6.0), and temperature (40 °C) for batch experiments; for continuous operations, optimum conditions were analyzed at bed height (5.5 cm) and flow rate (5 mL/min). From the results, it can be concluded that calcined eggshell can be used as an effective adsorbent for real effluent treatment and can be used for commercial purpose using the optimum conditions as described in this study.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Administrative Controls in a Food Processing Industry

Effective safety trainings, safety campaigns, work permit system are considered as an important factor of administrative controls which help to improve the positive safety culture and to reduce accidents of an organization. Evaluation of these administrative controls should be done in order to identify any gaps in it and to improve the existing system. Usually, the evaluation is done in the end phase but still it can be done throughout the process. Evaluation improves the scope for review and continuous improvement. The aim of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of safety trainings, safety campaigns, work permit system existing in a company. A survey in the form of questionnaire was prepared and conducted to get various responses. The responses were then recorded and analyzed. Further suggestions and recommendations were given to improve the existing administrative controls.

Practical Aspects of Application of Bayesian Networks to Cause and Effect Modeling in Process Safety

Cause and effect scenarios in process safety are commonly modeled using fault tree analysis, event tree analysis, and/or bow tie methods. These can be readily mapped into Bayesian networks, and there have been several applications of the same. Bayesian network offers several advantages including easy visualization, updating as well as forward and backward calculations. However, there are several practical aspects that are to be kept in mind while modeling with Bayesian networks. This includes the increase in number of parent nodes and state entries in conditional probability tables, the use of equations, and difficulties in populating the same meaningfully with probability values. This paper will discuss the above factors in cause and effect modeling with Bayesian networks including the use of object-oriented Bayesian network and Noisy gates to handle the large number of parents and will be useful for researchers in the subject.

Assessment of environmental and ergonomic hazard associated to printing and photocopying: a review

Abstract“Knowledge is power” and distribution of knowledge is fueled by printing and photocopying industry. Even as printing and photocopying industry have revolutionized the availability of documents and perceptible image quickly at extremely inexpensive and affordable cost, the boon of its revolution has turned into a bane by irresponsible, uncontrolled and extensive use, causing irreversible degradation to not only ecosystem by continuous release of ozone and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) but also the health of workers occupationally exposed to it. Indoor ozone level due to emission from different photocopying equipment’s increases drastically and the condition of other air quality parameters are not different. This situation is particularly sedate in extremely sensitive educational and research industry where sharing of knowledge is extremely important to meet the demands. This work is an attempt to catalogue all the environmental as well as health impacts of printing or photocopying. It has been observed that printing/photocopying operation is a significant factor contributing to indoor air quality degradation, which includes increase in concentration of ozone, VOCs, semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) and heavy metals such as cadmium, selenium, arsenic, zinc, nickel, and other pollutants from photocopy machines. The outcome of this study will empower the manufactures with information regarding ozone and other significant emission, so that their impact can be reduced.

Assessment of Ambient Air Quality Parameters in Various Industries of Uttarakhand, India

Industrial revolution of 1700s resulted in rise in living standard through availability of modern amenities at affordable price. The boon of industrial revolution has turned into a bane by irresponsible consumption which is causing irreversible damage to the ecosystem. The current atmospheric CO2 level (403.26 ppm) has increased by 44 % since 1700s and the plight of other air quality parameters is no different. This situation is particularly grave in ecologically sensitive Uttarakhand, India, where a number of hard-core manufacturing and processing industries have come up and are growing rapidly to meet the demands of growing population. Assessment of the air quality parameters of these industries is extremely important because of the environmental, health and safety concerns of the employees and also for the society at large. This study focuses on air quality assessment of 13 different industries in Uttarakhand. Four major air pollutants, i.e. respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM), Sulphur dioxide (SO2), suspended particulate matter (SPM) and Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were considered for the assessment. Assessment of the collected data shows that air quality parameters meet the set standards by CPCB suggesting good industrial practices. Suggestions to industries, to ensure sustainable development, are also given in the paper.