Abstract
The presentation aims to elucidate the contribution of the academe to research and development related to air quality management. This includes monitoring of air pollution from motor vehicles, acid deposition monitoring, volatile organic carbon measurement in air and the development of treatment technologies applying the principle of catalysis.
Emission test measuring carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons from different motor vehicles in Metropolitan Manila (MM) reveals that higher concentrations are found in gasoline run cars and tricycles than diesel fed buses, jeepneys and taxis. At the same time, benzene and toluene were detected along Taft Avenue in different sampling sites in De la Salle University area. Acid rain were also noted during the monitoring of acid deposition in year 1998 to year 2000 in different parts of MM. These studies confirmed the deteriorating state of the air quality in MM.
One promising technology for better air environment is catalysis. The improvement of the oxidation activity of alumina is the objective of a collaborative research project between De la Salle University and Tokyo Institute of Technology. Ceria-alumina has been developed for use in developing countries where lead and sulfur are still present in the fuel and where the expensive three way catalytic converter is not practical.
The development of an adsorption-oxidation catalyst for the treatment of volatile organic compounds is currently being done. In one study, activated carbons were characterized prior to its use as support material to metal oxide catalysts. Activity tests reveal that ceria supported by activated carbon gave best results compared to other catalysts used.
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