In an attempt to resolve the issue of pollution through technology, National Environment Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), along with IIT Bombay, has developed a unique device for the congested, polluted areas of the city. Wind Augmentation and Air Purifying Unit (WAYU), a sophisticated air purification device that purifies air within a 20-metre range, could work as a boon for the traffic police and residents of congested polluted areas of the city.
WAYU, a unique system for diffused air pollution control system, was born out of the simple need to resolve the issue of pollution in metropolis and its ill effects on the residents, as well as those who spend extended hours in its presence. Apparently NEERI, in its detailed report in 2010, where air quality monitoring was carried out in Mumbai, confirmed how certain parts of the city have very poor air quality and major contributor of many of the key pollutants, such as carbon monoxide 30-35 per cent, particulate matter (20-30 per cent) and nitrogen dioxide and nitric oxide 35-70 per cent was from vehicular traffic and re-suspended dust.
Vinay Padalkar, an IIT-B alumnus, who worked on the project along with NEERI, said that they found out that vehicular intersections are the most polluted vicinities on roads and thus they focused to resolve the issue at intersections. “A vehicle typically accelerates and decelerates when it comes across an intersection. This causes higher amount of pollutants to be released in the atmosphere.
Buildings, typically surrounding the intersection, create an urban tunnel effect. As the vehicle-induced turbulence is negligible at the intersections, the pollutants get trapped leading to higher exposure of pollutants to people,” explained Mr Padalkar.
To find a solution to asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer and increased mortality issues among susceptible groups like traffic cops, pregnant women and children as well as senior citizen, the system was developed, which could improve the air quality at urban intersections in a way that it can work with solar power.
Dr Rakesh Kumar, director of NEERI, explained that the device works on two simple principles — wind generation for dilution of air pollutants and active pollutants removal. “The device uses low speed wind generators and filters along with a thermal oxidiser for removal of toxic content. The air is passed through the filters and where the particulates are removed. The air is heated inside the specially designed section of the device with appropriate surface and retention time, within the thermal oxidisers where the carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, VOCs get converted to carbon dioxide,” said Dr Kumar.
Apparently, at the outlet of the device the air has some residual velocity, the air creates enough turbulence in the atmosphere, which helps to bring down the pollutant concentrations by the method of dispersion. Mr Padalkar also confirmed that the device has been tested at a traffic junction and was found to reduce the pollutant concentrations by 40-60 per cent.
While the two prototypes of the device have already been created, the officials are in talks with MPCB to get the device fitted at traffic junctions to check the feasibility. Dr Kumar confirmed that while the final tests would be conducted shortly before the monsoons, the project would be taken forward post-monsoon. “We have received favourable response from the authorities and we are hoping that the device will resolve the pollution issues at large,” said Dr Kumar.
