Engineering & the Environment: Reducing Impacts & Finding Sustainable Solutions, Study notes of Environmental Engineering

The role of engineers in addressing environmental challenges posed by engineering solutions. Topics include the development of automated drilling systems to improve mine safety, water management in mining, air pollution reduction through innovative building designs, and the use of biofiltration systems for water treatment. The document also discusses the impact of nuclear power on the environment and the challenges of safe disposal of nuclear waste.

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2020/2021

Uploaded on 05/18/2022

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Introduction
Engineered solutions have always had a significant impact on society, the impact of engineering
products has both a positive impact and a negative impact, such as automobiles. In most cases,
engineers have been paying due attention to the safety and cost of the product. These two aspects
affect all users of engineering products and then affect the entire society. More Recently,
engineers have become more sensitive to the environmental impact of products. Engineers need
to have a complete understanding of the local and global impact of their products in order to
make a reasonable assessment of the pros and cons.
Engineers will be at the center of achieving net zero emissions in order to strike a balance
between the amount of global greenhouse gas produced and the amount removed from the
atmosphere. Examples also include materials engineers developing new products to replace
plastic bags or chemical engineers working with environmental engineers to grow palm oil
without increasing deforestation or destruction of homes in the rainforest. Power, electrical, and
mechanical engineers are at the forefront of developing clean, renewable energy sources using
solar panels, wind turbines, heat pumps, and biofuels.(Raid M ,2021)
research aims at investigating the environmental impacts caused by engineering solutions and
finding ways to reduce the negative impacts it has on the environment and alternatives for
harvesting natural resources while sustaining the environmental..
Discussion
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Introduction Engineered solutions have always had a significant impact on society, the impact of engineering products has both a positive impact and a negative impact, such as automobiles. In most cases, engineers have been paying due attention to the safety and cost of the product. These two aspects affect all users of engineering products and then affect the entire society. More Recently, engineers have become more sensitive to the environmental impact of products. Engineers need to have a complete understanding of the local and global impact of their products in order to make a reasonable assessment of the pros and cons. Engineers will be at the center of achieving net zero emissions in order to strike a balance between the amount of global greenhouse gas produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere. Examples also include materials engineers developing new products to replace plastic bags or chemical engineers working with environmental engineers to grow palm oil without increasing deforestation or destruction of homes in the rainforest. Power, electrical, and mechanical engineers are at the forefront of developing clean, renewable energy sources using solar panels, wind turbines, heat pumps, and biofuels. (Raid M ,2021) research aims at investigating the environmental impacts caused by engineering solutions and finding ways to reduce the negative impacts it has on the environment and alternatives for harvesting natural resources while sustaining the environmental.. Discussion

Many mine worker have died on duty underground due to hazards such as rockfall,gas outbust and high underground temperature ,to solve this devastating problem engineer developed an automation which is called automated drilling which prioritise the safety of workers while achieving maximum productivity ,this automation promote in mining green technology by reducing carbon emission in operation and reduces the adverse environmental impact.(Ranjith et all.,2017) During an open cast mining, groundwater pours into an open pit when it intersects the water table. Miners must pump and release this water to some other place in order to continue digging. However, when mining activities are over, mine water is rarely removed or managed, potentially resulting in the formation in rock fissures, shafts, tunnels, and open pits, as well as unregulated leaks into the environment. In some regions, ground water depletion and the resulting impacts on surface waters and surrounding wetlands can be a severe concern. Reduced or eliminated surface water flows; loss of surface water quality and beneficial uses; and land loss (not just riverside zones, springs, and other wetland ecosystems) are all possible consequences of ground water depletion.(Anon,2000) power plants are known to cause air pollution by burning larges quantities of fossil fuels, as a result, releasing air pollutants. One of the latest ways to reduce air pollution discovered by environmental engineers is through the "smoking building" project. These buildings are designed to absorb smoke that affects the environment. Palazzo Italia is an example of a smoking building built for the World Exposition in 2015. Palazzo Italia consumes 40% less energy than traditional buildings of the same size and does not emit air pollution. (Chaplan B,2016) Power plants are also known to contribute to water pollution by dumping toxic wastes into waterbodies. In the U.S., power plants were the largest contributors of toxic pollution. The solution to water pollution was the invention of the Biofiltration Water Treatment System. This is a traditional water treatment method that relies on harsh chemicals to remove pollutants from the water, which will then be used for irrigation or consumption. Biofiltration is a natural process that uses porous materials and microorganisms to remove sediment or pollutants without damaging the environment. Although biofiltration operations usually use traditional equipment,