Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 2, 2026
15:08
Probing and Mapping Electrode Surfaces in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Published on: September 20, 2012
16.5K
Household solid fuel burning emission characterization and activity levels in India
Shamsh Pervez1, Madhuri Verma1, Suresh Tiwari2
1School of Studies in Chemistry, Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, Chhattisgarh 492010, India.
The Science of the Total Environment
|November 18, 2018
Summary
Household solid fuel combustion in India releases significant PM2.5, carbon, and ionic species. Coal balls exhibit the highest PM2.5 and organic carbon emissions, while dung cakes and crop residues are key sources of ionic compounds.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Atmospheric Chemistry
- Public Health
Background:
- Household solid fuel combustion is a major source of air pollution in India.
- Understanding emission factors (EFs) is crucial for air quality management.
- Various solid fuels like coal balls (CB), fuel wood (FW), dung cakes (DC), and crop residues (CR) are commonly used.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine emission factors for PM2.5, carbon fractions, major ions, and elemental species from common Indian household solid fuels.
- To identify key emission indicators for different fuel types.
- To estimate the contribution of these fuels to India's annual emission budget.
Main Methods:
- Field sampling during actual household cooking practices across 10 Indian states.
- Analysis of PM2.5, organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), major ions (K+, Ca2+, NH4+, SO42-, NO3-, Cl-), and elemental species (Al, Cr, Cu, Fe).
- Calculation of species-wise emission factors and annual emission estimates.
Main Results:
- Coal balls (CB) showed the highest EFs for PM2.5 (34.16 ± 10.1 g·kg-1) and OC (14.18 ± 5.8 g·kg-1).
- Dung cakes (DC) had the highest EF for EC (2.33 ± 1.4 g·kg-1), while crop residues (CR) showed high EF for K+ (1.03 ± 0.2 g·kg-1) and Cl- (0.69 ± 0.1 g·kg-1).
- Ionic EFs were generally higher for DC, CR, and mixed fuels (MF) compared to FW and CB. Ratios like K+/EC and Cl-/EC can indicate CR, while NH4+/EC indicates DC.
Conclusions:
- Household solid fuel combustion significantly contributes to India's annual PM2.5 (27%), OC (15%), and EC (4%) emissions.
- Specific ionic ratios serve as valuable tracers for identifying fuel types.
- Effective emission control strategies targeting these solid fuels are necessary to improve air quality in India.
Related Concept Videos
03:12Batteries and Fuel Cells
31.0K
A battery is a galvanic cell that is used as a source of electrical power for specific applications. Modern batteries exist in a multitude of forms to accommodate various applications, from tiny button batteries such as those that power wristwatches to the very large batteries used to supply backup energy to municipal power grids. Some batteries are designed for single-use applications and cannot be recharged (primary cells), while others are based on conveniently reversible cell reactions that...
31.0K
02:39Emission Spectra
76.3K
When solids, liquids, or condensed gases are heated sufficiently, they radiate some of the excess energy as light. Photons produced in this manner have a range of energies, and thereby produce a continuous spectrum in which an unbroken series of wavelengths is present.
76.3K
01:22Burn Injuries
4.4K
Burn injuries occur when the skin and underlying tissues are damaged due to exposure to heat, electricity, chemicals, radiation, or friction. They can vary in severity, from minor superficial burns to severe deep burns that can be life-threatening.
The damage results in the death of skin cells, which can lead to a massive loss of fluid. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and renal and circulatory failure follow, which can be fatal. Burn patients are treated with intravenous fluids to offset...
The damage results in the death of skin cells, which can lead to a massive loss of fluid. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and renal and circulatory failure follow, which can be fatal. Burn patients are treated with intravenous fluids to offset...
4.4K
02:37Metallic Solids
20.6K
Metallic solids such as crystals of copper, aluminum, and iron are formed by metal atoms. The structure of metallic crystals is often described as a uniform distribution of atomic nuclei within a “sea” of delocalized electrons. The atoms within such a metallic solid are held together by a unique force known as metallic bonding that gives rise to many useful and varied bulk properties.
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability....
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability....
20.6K
02:22Structures of Solids
17.7K
Solids in which the atoms, ions, or molecules are arranged in a definite repeating pattern are known as crystalline solids. Metals and ionic compounds typically form ordered, crystalline solids. A crystalline solid has a precise melting temperature because each atom or molecule of the same type is held in place with the same forces or energy. Amorphous solids or non-crystalline solids (or, sometimes, glasses) which lack an ordered internal structure and are randomly arranged. Substances that...
17.7K
01:13Household Wiring And Electrical Safety
1.7K
Companies that supply power to most modern households use three conductors, typically called a three-wire line. While one is neutral, the other two are both at 120 V but with opposite polarity, giving a voltage of 240 V between them. With a three-wire line, high-power appliances that require 240 V, such as electric stoves and clothes dryers, are linked between the two hot lines. 120 V appliances can be connected between the neutral and either of the hot lines. The neutral side, which is always...
1.7K