F 0800MCN201122101 Pages: 2

RegNo.: Name:
APJ ABDUL KALAM TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
ThirdSemesterB.TechDegreeRegularandSupplementaryExaminationDecember2022(2019 Scheme)

CourseCode:MCN201
CourseName:Sustainable Engineering
Max.Marks:100 Duration:3 Hours

PARTA
Answer All Questions.Each Question Carries 3 Marks Marks

1 What is the need for sustainability? 3

Sustainability is the key to a better future. Humans rely on natural resources for
business, activities, and survival. Ignoring sustainability can lead to the exhaustion
of natural resources. Sustainability is important to study even if you aren't an
environmental science major.
2 Explain the nexus between technology and sustainable development 3
Sustainable development is closely linked to the use of technology. Modern
technologies do not only lead to positive effects. On the contrary, many problems,
for example in the environmental sector, result directly from the application and
implementation of technology.
3 What Are The Causes of air pollution? 3
Vehicle emissions, fuel oils and natural gas to heat homes, by-products of
manufacturing and power generation, particularly coal-fueled power plants, and
fumes from chemical production are the primary sources of human-made air
pollution.
4 What is the greenhouse effect? 3
The greenhouse effect is the way in which heat is trapped close to Earth's surface
by “greenhouse gases.” These heat-trapping gases can be thought of as a blanket
wrapped around Earth, keeping the planet toastier than it would be without them.
Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxides, and water
vapor.
5 What are the benefits of implementing an environmental management system? 3
improving resource efficiency and reducing unnecessary expenditure - you will have policies and
procedures in place that help you manage waste and resources more effectively. This can reduce
your associated raw material and operating costs
better regulatory compliance - an EMS will help you become legally compliant and will reduce the
risk of fines and adverse publicity
lighter regulation - even if an EMS is not a regulatory requirement, by showing your commitment
to environmental management, you may benefit through less frequent site visits or reduced fees
from environmental regulators;
sales and marketing - large businesses and government departments may only deal with businesses
that have an EMS. It can be vital for successful tendering and meeting supply chain requirements;
6 Explainthetermcircular economy 3
The circular economy is a model of production and consumption, which involves
sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials
and products as long as possible. In this way, the life cycle of products is extended.
In practice, it implies reducing waste to a minimum
7 Differentiate Between First,second and third generation biofuels 3
When we talk about first generation biofuel, we are referring to biofuels from an
existing row crop such as corn ethanol or soy biodiesel. Second generation biofuels
are derived from cellulosic biomass such as perennial grasses. Third generation
 biofuels are to be made from algae.

8 What are the disadvantages of small hydro power plants? 3

It Has an Environmental Impact. Perhaps the largest disadvantage of hydroelectric
energy is the impact it can have on the environment. ...
It Displaces People. ...
It's Expensive. ...
There are Limited Reservoirs. ...
There are Droughts. ...
It's Not Always Safe.
9 What Is Meant By Sustainable Habitat? 3
A sustainable habitat is an ecosystem that produces food and shelter for people and
other organisms, without resource depletion and in such a way that no external
waste is produced. Thus the habitat can continue into the future without external
infusions of resources.
10 What Are The Harmful impacts of the transportation sector on sustainability? 3
The environmental effects of transport are significant because transport is a major user of energy,
and burns most of the world's petroleum. This creates air pollution, including nitrous oxides and
particulates, and is a significant contributor to global warming through emission of carbon dioxide.

PART B
Answer Anyone Fullquestionfromeachmodule.Each Question Carries 14 Marks
Module1

11 a. Explain Clean Development Mechanism-7 marks 14

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), defined in Article 12 of the

Protocol, allows a country with an emission-reduction or emission-
limitation commitment under the Kyoto Protocol (Annex B Party) to
implement an emission-reduction project in developing countries. Such
projects can earn saleable certified emission reduction (CER) credits, each
equivalent to one tonne of CO2, which can be counted towards meeting
Kyoto targets.
The mechanism is seen by many as a trailblazer. It is the first global,
environmental investment and credit scheme of its kind, providing a
standardized emissions offset instrument, CERs.
A CDM project activity might involve, for example, a rural electrification
project using solar panels or the installation of more energy-efficient
boilers.
The mechanism stimulates sustainable development and emission
reductions, while giving industrialized countries some flexibility in how
they meet their emission reduction or limitation targets.
a. Explain The Concept Of Sustainable Development–7marks
Sustainable Development is a concept that at its core is revolutionary, yet
unfortunately incredibly difficult to pragmatically define. The history
behind sustainable development is one that does not stretch far. Tensions
that can be found within the concept of sustainable development are
numerous, ranging from its ambiguous and vague definition, to the failure
of attaining a universal pragmatic and operational framework. The great
challenge that lies ahead with sustainable development is not only the
need to educate it to the people, but to first define it in a way people will
understand it.
The concept of sustainable development is one that arguably is multi-
disciplinary, complex, and systematic, yet defining the concept is without
a doubt a great task. Sustainable development was a term first coined in
1980, when the intent of the concept was merely basic. It was in the
World Conservation Strategy, a union between three prominent
environmental non-governmental organizations IUCN, WWF, and UNEP,
where sustainable development took on the meaning of ‘conserving the
 earth’s natural resources

12 a. Writenotesonsocial,environmental and economic sustainability concepts -9 14

marks

Social sustainability:

It is the process for creating sustainable, successful places that promote well-being by
understanding the needs of people from the places they live and work. Social
sustainability is a combination of formal and informal processes that involve
infrastructure to support the cultural and social life of the people. It generates an
environment feasible for social engagement and space for people and spaces to evolve.
It promotes the health and well-being of the people by giving them equal opportunities
and access to the resources to support their families socially and economically.

Economic sustainability:

It refers to the practices that support long-term economic growth without negatively
impacting the social, environmental, and cultural aspects of the community. Economic
sustainability is all about giving people what they want without compromising the
quality of life, especially in the developing world.

Environmental sustainability:

It is the process of meeting the needs of air, food, water, and shelter as well as ensuring
that the environment is neither affected nor polluted. With the conservation of all the
energy and natural resources, environmental sustainability can be attained. With the
economic sustainability ecological system is maintained and all the environmental
terms are kept in balance. Natural resources are consumed by humans, taking care that
they are preserved for future generations.
b. What Are The challenges for sustainable development?-5 marks
a. The challenges of sustainable development are as follows:
b. Political instability between nations, that occurs due to conflicts.
c. Poverty.
d. Unemployment.
e. Building institutions that follow strong governance.
f. Climate change.

Module2

13 Whatarethevarioussourcesofsolidwaste?Explainmethodsofsolidwaste 14
management and zero waste concept
solid waste" means any garbage or refuse, sludge from a wastewater treatment plant, water supply
treatment plant, or air pollution control facility and other discarded material, resulting from
industrial, commercial, mining, and agricultural operations, and from community activities
14 Explaincarbonfootprintand waystoreduceyour carbon footprint 14

Consume local and seasonal products (forget strawberries in winter)

Limit meat consumption, especially beef
Select fish from sustainable fishing
Bring reusable shopping bags and avoid products with excessive plastic packaging
Make sure to buy only what you need, to avoid waste
Clothing

Take good care of your clothes

Try swapping, borrowing, renting or buying second-hand
Buy responsibly-made clothes, e.g. made from recycled material or with an eco-
label
Transport

Cycle or use public transport

Be smart about when and how you drive
Try the train for your next holiday
Energy and waste

Turn down the heating by 1°, it will already make a difference

Take short showers
Turn off the water while you brush your teeth or clean the dishes
Unplug your electronic equipment and don’t leave your phone on charge when the
battery is already full
Don’t store unnecessary data in the cloud (learn more about your digital footprint!)
Select energy efficient products with an “A” label (EU Energy Label)
Limit and recycle your waste
 0800MCN201122101

Module3
15 Writenotes onlifecycle analysis 14

Life cycle analysis (LCA) is a method used to evaluate the environmental impact of a
product through its life cycle encompassing extraction and processing of the raw
materials, manufacturing, distribution, use, recycling, and final disposal.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) aims to quantify the environmental impacts that arise
from material inputs and outputs, such as energy use or air emissions, over a product's
entire life cycle to assist consumers in making decisions that will benefit the
environment.
16 Explainindustrialecologyandindustrialsymbiosis 14

Industrial ecology conceptualizes industry as a man-made ecosystem in such a way

that it operates in a similar way to natural ecosystem.
The waste or byproduct of one process of the industry is used as an input into another
process.
Principles of Industrial Ecology
Create industrial ecosystems
Balance industrial inputs and outputs to natural levels.
Dematerialization of industrial output
Improve the efficiency of industrial processes
Energy use
Align policies with the industrial ecology concept.
Industrial symbiosis is a form of brokering to bring companies together in
innovative collaborations, finding ways to use the waste from one as raw materials for
another.

Local or wider co-operation in industrial symbiosis can reduce the need for virgin raw
material and waste disposal, thereby closing the material loop – a fundamental feature
of the circular economy and a driver for green growth and eco-innovative solutions. It
can also reduce emissions and energy use and create new revenue streams.
Module4

17 Explainconventionalandnonconventionalenergysources 14

Conventional Sources of Energy are also known as non-renewable sources of energy

and are available in limited quantity apart from hydro-electric power. Further, it is
classified under commercial and non-commercial energy.

Commercial Energy Sources

Coal, electricity and petroleum are known as commercial energy since the consumer
needs to pay its price to buy them.

Coal
Coal is the most important source of energy. There are more than 148790 coal
deposits in India, and between 2005-2006, the annual production went up to 343
million tons. India is the fourth-largest coal-producing country, and the deposits are
primarily found in Bihar, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Bengal.

Oil and Natural Gas

Oil is considered liquid gold and one of the crucial energy sources in India and the
world. Oil is primarily used in planes, automobiles, trains and ships. The total oil
production in India was 0.3 million tons in 1950-51, which increased up to 32.4
million tons in 2000-01. It is mainly found in Assam, Gujarat and Mumbai.

Electricity
 Electricity is a common form of energy used for domestic and commercial purposes,
and it is mainly utilized in electrical appliances like fridges, T.V, washing machines
and air conditioning.

The major sources of power generation are:

Nuclear Power
Thermal Power
Hydro-electric power
Thermal PowerThermal power is generated at various power stations utilizing oil and
coal. It is a vital source of electric current, and its share in the nation’s total capacity
in 2004-05 was 70 percent.
Hydroelectric PowerHydroelectric power is produced by constructing dams above
flowing rivers like Damodar Valley Project and BhakraNangal Project. The installed
capacity of hydroelectric power was 587.4 mW in 1950-51 and went up to 19600 mW
in 2004-05.
Nuclear PowerThe fuel used in nuclear power plants is Uranium, which costs less
than coal. Nuclear power plants can be found in Kaiga (Karnataka), Kota (Rajasthan),
Naroura (UP) and Kalapakam(Chennai).
Non-commercial Energy Sources
Generally, the freely available energy sources are considered non-commercial energy
sources. Examples of non-commercial energy sources include straw, dried dung,
firewood./p>

Non-Conventional Sources of Energy

Non-conventional sources are also known as renewable sources of energy. Examples
of non-conventional sources of energy include solar energy, bioenergy, tidal energy
and wind energy.

Solar Energy
Solar Energy is produced by sunlight. The photovoltaic cells are exposed to sunlight
based on the form of electricity that needs to be produced. The energy is utilized for
cooking and distillation of water.

Wind Energy
Wind energy is generated by harnessing the power of wind and mostly used in
operating water pumps for irrigation purposes. India stands as the second-largest
country in the generation of wind power.

Tidal Energy
Tidal energy is generated by exploiting the tidal waves of the sea. This source is yet to
be tapped due to the lack of cost-effective technology.
18 Howcanenergybederivedfromoceans? 14

• Closed- cycle systems use the ocean's warm surface water to vaporize a
working fluid, which has a low- boiling point, such as ammonia. The vapour
expands and turns a turbine. The turbine then activates a generator to produce
electricity.
• Open-cycle systems boil the sea water by operating at low pressures. This
produces steam that passes through a turbine/generator.
• Hybrid systems combine both closed-cycle and open-cycle systems.
• Ocean Thermal Electric Conversion is an energy technology, which uses the
oceans natural temperature gradient to drive a turbine, which is connected to a
generator. It is desirable that the temperature difference between the warm
surface water and the cold deep water in the sea should be at least 20 0C.
• The unit consists of an evaporator/boiler, a turbine-generator set, a condenser
and a pump. A low boiling point liquid like Ammonia, is taken into the boiler
as the working fluid.
 • The upper layers of the ocean water which is heated by solar energy are made
to flow through the evaporator. As a result, the ammonia evaporates and flows
to the turbine at high pressure and propels it.
• Later, the low pressure exit ammonia vapour passes through a condenser
where it is condensed to liquid ammonia by the cold water drawn from the
bottom layer of the ocean. It is then pumped back to the evaporator. The cycle
repeats thereafter

Module5

19 Explaintheconceptofgreen engineering 14
Green engineering is the design, commercialization, and use of processes and products
in a way that reduces pollution, promotes sustainability, and minimizes risk to human
health and the environment without sacrificing economic viability and efficiency.
Five of the green systems that are being utilized in building engineering are radiant
floors, gray water recycling, solar power, geothermal systems, and energy efficient
window systems. These systems working together can achieve an owner's energy and
water conservation goals while also reducing utility bills.
There are many advantages of green technology includes: it is environmentally friendly
that means no harmful emission to the air, does not require a lot of money for its
operation, never run out because of its renewable technology, it helps to reduce CO2
emission in the air, it reduces global warming
20 Writenotes on sustainablecities 14
A sustainable city is one designed to address social, environmental and economic
impact through urban planning and city management. Many sustainable initiatives are
achieved by building eco-friendly alternatives into city infrastructure, such as adopting
walk and bike lanes.
The evolution of the concept of urban sustainability is described and a framework is
proposed based on four pillars: economic development, social development,
environmental management and effective urban governance.
Features:
● Public transportation. ...
● Walkable and bikeable neighborhoods. ...
● Vehicle charging stations. ...
● Solar farms. ...
● Green buildings. ...
● Food production. ...
● Accessible public resources. ...
● Water conservation.